SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has welcomed the publication of an Executive plan for managing the COVID-19 crisis.
The Foyle MP said that he understands the Executive’s concerns but is disappointed that the document does not commit to timeframes for taking action.
Mr Eastwood has called for the Executive to commit to maximum transparency around decision making and reconsider publishing a timeline so that people, businesses and communities can begin preparations.
Said Mr Eastwood: “I welcome that the Executive has published its approach to managing the Covid-19 crisis.
“People and businesses in our communities need guidance on the way forward and they need certainty so they can prepare for any changes to the current restrictions.
“I am disappointed, however, that the document does not commit to any timeframe at all for changes to the current regulations.
“The First Ministers must provide certainty to people who are worried about what’s happening and they have to provide hope that the pressures we’re living under are not going to be there forever.
“I believe that a timeline would have provided greater certainty and I know that people would have been sympathetic to any deviation from that timeline if circumstances change.
“This is a missed opportunity.
“I would also like to see greater detail about the proposed ‘robust arrangements’ to test, track and trace.
“The SDLP has argued for weeks that we should be preparing to implement a mass testing programme, including antibody testing, to identify new outbreaks and isolate communities at risk.
“Any plan to lift restrictions will fail without the necessary testing and tracing infrastructure.
“We are all committed to managing this crisis in a way that protects as many people as possible, I don’t doubt the motivation of anyone around the Executive table.
“The SDLP will continue to engage constructively with the Executive throughout the weeks ahead,” added the Foyle MP.
Tags: