Health Minister Robin Swann defends Covid Passport scheme

By PA

Health Minister Robin Swann says it  is thanks to the Covid Certification scheme that hospitality venues were able to stay open over Christmas.

Venues will no longer be legally required to request Covid certification for entry from January 26, although it will continue for nightclubs and indoor events with more than 500 people as well as international travel.

“We were able to utilise it to keep some of our hospitality sector open where other areas were actually closing theirs down or having curfews,” he said.

“Covid certification is an international requirement when it comes to travel, so it’s not something that is going to disappear overnight.”

He has also urged cautious optimism on the way forward in the coronavirus pandemic.

He was speaking to media in Antrim the day after the Stormont Executive announced a swathe of relaxations of the restrictions including ending the legal requirement for Covid certification to enter some hospitality venues and the reopening of nightclubs.

(hospitality venues blamed the scheme for record cancellations over the Christmas period)

Ministers are next set to meet on February 10 to look at the remaining restrictions.

Mr Swann said they will have to take account of how things stand at that point with cases and whether there is another variant.

“I have always taken the decision at the time in regards to the advice that was put forward via my chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser, so February 10, while it will be a key date, let’s make sure we get there safely and as collectively as we can,” he said.

“I would still encourage people to follow the guidance, follow the regulations that are still in place and take the opportunities to come forward and get their vaccines and their boosters.

“There are three weeks to go and I want to keep the trajectory of this virus going in the same direction as it has been, and that’s downwards.”

On staffing pressures in hospitals, Mr Swann said the situation remains challenging.

He has submitted an MACA request for military assistance, which he said he expects to hear a decision on that early next week.

“We initially requested in the region of 60 to 80 (medical technicians) depending on Ministry of Defence assessments of how many they can release at that point in time due to other worldwide pressures as well,” he said.

“They will make a difference, not only for the level of physical activity they bring but what we’ve actually seen in the past is that additional help actually brings a morale boost to staff as well when they realise they’re not on their own and there are other people to come forward and provide help.”

(Health Minister Robin Swann is urging caution)