MLAs vote in favour of Covid certification regulations

By PA

MLAs have backed mandatory Covid certification regulations for Northern Ireland by 59 votes to 24.

The Assembly discussed the regulations for several hours last night and returned today when Health Minister Robin Swann closed the debate and votes were cast.

The regulations, which require people to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and large-attendance events, were introduced late last month with a two-week grace period to allow businesses to adjust to the new requirements.

The DUP opposed the scheme at the Executive and voted against it following the Stormont debate.

Health Minister Robin Swanns made a plea for unity as he closed the debate on mandatory Covid certification regulations.

Mr Swann told MLAS:

“I think we do need to come out of this with the communication coming from this place is that we take these steps, sometimes reluctantly, sometimes we may be opposed to them, but they are taken for the overall protection of the people of Northern Ireland and the support of our health service in challenging times.

“It is not an easy subject in regard to Covid regulations.

“The challenges that are faced by our population, by our health service in what is a global pandemic aren’t easy either, but we have come through worse and we will come through this as a stronger health service because of the changes we have needed to evolve.

“We will also come through it stronger as a society.”

Mr Swann added: “I would ask for those who seek division over this issue to look to what we can achieve when we pull together rather than looking for further division and we tackle Covid as a united society in Northern Ireland, doing everything that we can and everything that we know works.”