Watch: Health Minister warns NI ‘can’t police Covid-19 out of existence’
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people across Northern Ireland to recognise that adhering to coronavirus restrictions in place now is the best way to avoid an unwanted lockdown in future.
He addressed the local response to the pandemic during Wednesday's briefing, alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride and Dr Paul Johnston from Antrim Area Hospital.
Amid concerns that people are growing increasingly complacent, the clear message was that it was up to everyone to take personal responsibility and to be aware of the very real risk still posed, especially to those who are more vulnerable.
Mr Swann noted that restrictions would have to be tightened in respect of visits to hospitals and other medical facilities – allowing for just one visit by one family member once a week.
There would be some exceptions around, for example, end-of-life care, paediatrics and maternity care, and Mr Swann said he was also keen to retain access to care homes to allow for social interaction for elderly residents.
Health and social care visits
limited to one face-to-face visit a week by one person
efforts made to facilitate by other means, eg technology
compassionate visits for end-of-life or palliative care should be facilitated and arrangements agreed with ward or care home
one visitor for one hour daily in hospices where the environment in Covid-19 secure
one partner to accompany a pregnant woman to dating scan, anomaly scan, early pregnancy clinic, fetal medicine appointments, and active labour
one visit by one person for up to one hour once a week in antenatal and postnatal wards
care homes encouraged to develop concept of care partners who assist with relative’s care as more than a visitor
Details have been outlined in new documentation on the guidelines.
Urging everyone to use common sense and to “do the right thing and the safe thing”, especially where there are grey areas in the restrictions, Mr Swann said: “We can’t police Covid-19 out of existence.
“We don’t live in a surveillance state and we don’t want to.”
Dr McBride reiterated that message and acknowledged that everyone was tired and fed-up with coronavirus and restrictions.
“We have all sacrificed much over the last months and the price has been too high for far too many," he noted, adding: "While the Executive can regulate … it’s really up to all of us.
"The actions that you take in the next two weeks will determine where we are further down the line."
The Chief Medical Officer also warned that, despite best efforts, there will be more outbreaks, including in hospital and care home settings.
Meanwhile, Dr Johnson outlined how medical staff have had to seek psychological support after treating Covid-19 patients.
He said victims in severe cases were suffering from prolonged respiratory failure, in some cases needing weeks of treatment on ventilators, and a high number needed dialysis for kidney failure.
When speaking about some of his colleagues who had treated patients, he said: “Many of our nurses have had to avail of psychology services.”
The briefing came as a leading doctor warned that Northern Ireland is already in the early stages of a second wave in the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, is warning against complacency amid rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the community.
“It looks like we’re now entering the second wave,” Dr Black told UTV.
“One issue of concern would be the fact that, whereas before we were three or four weeks behind England, my infectious disease colleagues are telling me it looks like we’re ahead of the rest of the UK this time.
“So we’re getting more infections than England, Scotland and Wales at the moment.”
Restrictions have effectively been extended UK-wide to try to slow the spread of infection.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Tuesday night to outline measures.
The broadcast was followed by a briefing from First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill confirming the situation in Northern Ireland, where restrictions on mixing between households had already come into force.
Previously, the Belfast council area, Ballymena town, and a limited number of other postcode areas had seen restrictions tightened.
Now, there is to be no mixing between households for anyone, except to form support “bubbles” and in other limited circumstances.
But leaders have insisted this is not a second “lockdown”.
While working from home is being encouraged where possible, it can continue in other settings with social distancing and sanitisation in place.
Wet pubs are also reopening as planned, although the Prime Minister’s measures include a 10pm closing time in England.
Latest stats
There have been 220 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Northern Ireland in the last 24-hour reporting period, according to the Department of Health.
There have been no further related deaths recorded, with the toll in the region remaining at 577.
Forty-one people with Covid-19 are in hospital – six are in intensive care and five are on ventilators.
There are currently 27 confirmed outbreaks in care homes across Northern Ireland, and a further 13 suspected outbreaks.
Coronavirus restrictions
You cannot:
allow people you do not live with into your home, unless they’re in your support bubble
allow more than six people to gather in your garden, from more than two households
You can:
fulfil caring responsibilities, including childcare
travel in and out of the affected area, for example to go to work, but it is recommended that you should avoid unnecessary travel
attend a hospital appointment, dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services
fulfil any legal obligations