Time is right to ease restrictions, says Health Minister
He made his statement this afternoon at a Stormont press briefing on the current Coronavirus pandemic in the North Ireland.
Mr Swann opened the briefing by expressing his condolences to the family of the latest person who lost their life in the past 24 hours to the deadly virus.
His department reported a further 97 new cases since Monday, a fall of 15.
There was a further 24 new cases in the Derry City and Strabane Council area in the past 24 hours, a rise of one in the previous 24 hours.
The Health Minister said “significant progress” has been made and paid tribute to the determination of people across the North of Ireland.
“Many lives have been saved as a result. Intolerable pressures have been lifted from our health service,” he said.
“Now we can step cautiously into a new environment.”
He told reporters that “the scales are tipping in favour of relaxing some restrictions and accelerating that process.”
“I believe that the time is now right for the Executive to proceed with further easing of restrictions including some indicative dates to let people and businesses look ahead with greater optimism.”
He said this was thanks to the public sticking with the restrictions and the progress of the vaccination programme.
“Frustration is growing and if unchecked it may impact on adherence with public health advice and I don’t want to see that.
“The people working in our health service don’t want to see that, as we know the consequences.”
Mr Swann said they will be prioritising the “most difficult and challenging restrictions on a phased basis.”
He said this includes giving people more opportunities to meet up with family and friends outdoors “in as safe a way as possible.”
The health minister said it should also mean getting hairdressers and barbers back to work, more businesses opening and considering people getting back to their caravans earlier than he had thought feasible.
“To all those who have been bending my ear on these issues, let me just say: I hear you,” he said.
Mr Swann added some notes of caution and warned that easing lockdown measure inevitably comes with some risks.
“Despite the success of our vaccination programme, as people mix more, the virus will spread more,” he said.
“That’s how serious this still is.
Health Minister Robin Swann
He advised people to remain careful and vigilant at all times.
The former UUP leader added that the government advisory group Sage has warned of a potential fresh Covid-19 surge later in the year and that “vaccines are our best defence and shield against Covid.”
“Please get the jab when it’s your turn and encourage your friends and relatives to do the same.”
Mr Swann finished by reminding people of the “life-saving lessons we have all learned this past year: social distancing, wearing a mask, washing our hands, letting fresh air in and doing more outdoors.”
“We cannot abandon all restrictions in one go. We cannot lose the run of ourselves. We cannot see the good work undone,” he said.
He said the vaccination programme had some distance to go yet and there would not be 100% take-up.
“No vaccine ever gives total protection to all those who get it, they will do more of the heavy lifting but cannot do it all.”
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