Northern Executive to meet to discuss further Covid-19 measures

The Northern Executive will meet later on Wednesday to discuss further measures to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Ministers are not expected to recommend the shutdown of broad sections of the economy or a fresh lockdown, but it is understood they are to consider more limited changes including the potential reintroduction of measures to restrict social mixing in hospitality venues and domestic settings, and could recommend the closure of nightclubs.

The North's Minister for Health, Robin Swann, said on Tuesday "there will be additional asks" and the level of these would be "decided by the Executive and announced by the Executive tomorrow [Wednesday]."

Speaking to reporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, where a new mass vaccination centre opened on Tuesday, Mr Swann said he would not pre-empt any decisions but emphasised the need for unity around the Executive table.

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"I think it has to be a joint, united message that comes out of the Executive tomorrow [Wednesday] in regards of the asks that we have to make of the people of Northern Ireland, because we have always been clear that we'll not boost our way out of the Omicron," he said.

The devolved administration in the North is limited in the action it can take by the level of financial support allocated by the UK Treasury.

Northern Ireland has received approximately £100 million in additional Covid-19 funding to cope with the Omicron surge, but both the DUP and Sinn Féin have called for the reintroduction of the furlough scheme and said greater financial help is needed to support the economy and people’s livelihoods.

Omicron impact

According to the latest available figures from the UK Health Security Agency, on Monday there were 2,349 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Northern Ireland, an increase of 1,068 cases compared to the previous day.

Mr Swann said he expected Omicron to become the dominant variant in the North “possibly this side of Christmas, and if not after Christmas.”

Asked about the impact of the variant on sporting events due to be held on St Stephen’s Day, Mr Swann said they would be covered by the Covid certification scheme which is currently in force.

He also renewed his appeal for people to get vaccinated and to come forward for booster doses, and said that up to two-thirds of hospital patients with Covid-19 who are under 50 are unvaccinated.

The DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, revealed on Tuesday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was "a bit croaky" but was continuing to work remotely.

“Thankfully I received my booster two weeks ago. The importance of being vaccinated cannot be overstated,” he said.

The deaths of a further three people with Covid-19 were reported by the North's Department of Health on Tuesday, and an additional 2,096 cases of the virus.

A total of 268 people were receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19, with 34 in intensive care.