[ad_1]
More coronavirus restrictions will be recommended before Christmas to Stormont, said the Northern Ireland scientific director.
Professor Ian Young said that a four-week circuit break in the North had slowed the spread of the virus, but added that that decline is now slowing.
He said he thinks more restrictions are more likely to be requested before Christmas.
Professor Young, along with Medical Director Dr. Michael McBride, provide evidence on transmission of the coronavirus to the Stormont executive.
The decision on how to follow up on the breaking of the circuit led to four days of bitter exchanges between ministers last week.
The DUP lobbied to reopen sections of the economy, while the other four parties wanted the circuit break extended two weeks before a compromise was reached.
Health Minister Robin Swann said yesterday that he is likely to request more restrictions for the coronavirus before Christmas.
Latest coronavirus stories
Speaking on the BBC, Professor Young said: “The restrictions that were put in place have had a significant downward effect in terms of the number of cases of the virus, and that is now slowing down and we are seeing only a very slow decline in the Present.
“The number of patients who are in hospitals with Covid has decreased even to a lesser extent and that shows, firstly, that restrictions can have an impact, but as we have always said, the deeper the restrictions, the longer and more severe will be the impact.
“So yes, I agree with Minister Swann that I think it is more likely that more restrictions will be requested before Christmas.”
Professor Young said these are “immensely difficult decisions” for ministers.
“If it were only about making decisions regarding the transmission of the virus and nothing else, I think it would be relatively simple, but the Executive has to weigh the really important impacts on the economy and the long-term damage it causes, along with the significant impacts on society, on mental health, “he said.
“I am confident that the Executive will seriously consider our advice, make a decision and I know that the Medical Director or myself will not hesitate to come back with more advice if we feel it is necessary.
“We want people to be able to enjoy Christmas in a relatively normal way. Given that it is in the context of the pandemic, I don’t think it can be completely normal, but it is an important time of year. Interacting more normally carries risks, everyone will have to be clear about that, but it is not something we want to ban, definitely not. “
Professor Young also said that there is a “realistic chance” that nursing home residents and healthcare staff could start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine before the end of the year.
“It is not going to save us from winter, it will play an important role in terms of our overall response, but I am very hopeful that by next summer it will be quite extended,” he said.
The Executive took four days to agree on future restrictions last week.
Most ministers backed a proposal that saw the four-week outage lockout extended for a week followed by a gradual reopening of hospitality businesses.
Swann said he reluctantly voted for the compromise deal as ministers had “run out of time” and had no agreement been reached, all hospitality restrictions would have expired by default on Friday night.
[ad_2]