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By David Young, PA
Ireland’s health minister has expressed hope for a close alignment of coronavirus recovery strategies north and south of the border.
Simon Harris said it made sense from a scientific point of view to have similar plans to facilitate blockade measures in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Harris’s comments came when UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he could see that the case that could be made for Northern Ireland was moving at a different rate than the rest of the UK, given that the virus it has not affected the region so severely.
Hancock said the relationship with the Republic of Ireland was “important”, although he noted that the shape of the virus curve (its decline and fall) had been the same across the UK.
Harris was asked about the position in Northern Ireland when Ireland revealed its five-phase strategy to gradually relax Covid-19 restrictions.
“From an epidemiological point of view, it makes sense that the island of Ireland is as aligned as possible in relation to this,” he said.
“I understand, and it is not to speak for the north, they will be developing their own plans and we will continue at the CMO (medical director) level to maintain close contact with them.”
“I would certainly like to see an alignment as close as possible. And let me be very clear about it, not for political reasons in relation to northern politics, but only from the point of view of public health.”
“This virus does not differentiate between jurisdictions nor does it concern itself with political tradition. What it does is spread and spread in a very virulent way and make many people sick and take many lives, so the closer we get, the better we can cooperate.”
Previously, Hancock was asked at the Covid-19 daily briefing if there was a case for Northern Ireland to break out of the blockade at a different rate than the rest of the UK and possibly follow an Ireland-wide approach.
He said that while the virus level had been higher in certain parts of the United Kingdom, such as London, the general way of the spread of the disease (the curve) had been similar everywhere.
“That means moving together was the right approach in the beginning,” he said.
“I can see the case that could be made and, of course, the decisions that are delegated, we respect the return agreement, but ultimately, if we observe the shape of the curve that lowers R (number of reproduction) and guesses the level of new cases down, that happened like the UK together.
“Of course, the relationship with the Republic is also important and we have good relations both politically and medically in talks with the Republic with the decisions they make, but we have very intense discussions within the UK. changes within the country. “
At the daily briefing in Stormont, Prime Minister Arlene Foster said she never saw the issue as “political”.
“This is a life-saving problem,” said the DUP leader.
She said a joint approach was necessary on both islands.
“I have always believed that all relationships are important in relation to the fight against this virus and that will continue to be my opinion: that it is not just from north to south, but also from east to west,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill said the two jurisdictions had a “geographic advantage” by being on an island.
“I think it makes common sense that what happens in Derry and Donegal will have a powerful impact on each other,” said Sinn Fein’s vice president.
“So I think it’s important that where we can, we work together and work through it and get out of it as closely as possible.”
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