Calls grow for the Stormont Executive to support NI businesses affected by Omicron surge

By Q Radio news

There are calls for the Stormont Executive to urgently step in to provide support to businesses here affected by the Omicron surge.

Matthew O'Toole, the SDLP's Finance spokesman says hospitality venues have been hit by a wave of cancellations.

Yesterday, it emerged that the Executive has been warned that restrictions will be needed immediately after Christmas to protect hospitals and the NHS here.

Omicron is spreading faster than any other variant of the disease so far.

Mr O'Toole says the First and Deputy first minister have to start contingency planning now...

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has written to the Treasury calling for the furlough scheme to be reinstated.

Mr Murphy believes some form of the scheme is needed to deal with any restrictions required to deal with the spread of the Omicron strain.

As uncertainty over the impact the new variant will have on society a well known Belfast pub has announced it's shutting up shop until the 3rd of January.

The owners of the Sunflower Public House on the corner of Kent Street and Union Street say concerns over the new certification rules has now been overtaken by an outbreak of Covid among its staff.

Xander Duffy says all things considered a circuit breaker makes sense as patrons with no proper certification ran the risk of being turned away....