Covid-19: Conor Murphy says Stormont will act collectively in lockdown review - BBC News
NI lockdown restrictions will be reviewed next week but ministers warn any easing will be gradual.
Conor Murphy and Arlene Foster were speaking at the NI Executive press briefing on Thursday

Stormont ministers will take a "collective approach" when reviewing NI's lockdown restrictions next week, Conor Murphy has said.

NI re-entered lockdown on 26 December, with the measures due to last until 5 March.

But ministers will meet on Thursday to review what should happen beyond that point.

First Minister Arlene Foster said there needed to be one more "push" to reduce infection rates as much as possible.

Next Thursday's executive meeting would be a "key decision point" about how Northern Ireland emerges from lockdown, she said.

A pathway to recovery document is due to be published by the executive in the coming weeks, with many businesses asking for clarity around indicative reopening dates.

It comes as Stormont's health minister warned there are concerns that Northern Ireland's Covid-19 transmission rate has stagnated.

The R - or reproduction - number was estimated between 1.5 to 1.9 at the start of January, but has fallen to below one.

Speaking at the executive's press briefing on Thursday, Mrs Foster said she recognised that people wanted to see an end to restrictions, but warned: "We need to see numbers as low as possible so we can plan for gradually emerging from lockdown."

She said Northern Ireland's R number is currently sitting at 0.75 to 0.85 and that it was right to remain hopeful for "better days ahead".

"We must approach with care so we don't lose the gains we have made, the clear message has been about saving lives and easing pressure."

Nine more coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Thursday, along with 253 new cases.

According to Department of Health figures, 1,966 people have now died in Northern Ireland after testing positive for Covid-19.

There are 518 people being treated in hospital for the virus in Northern Ireland.

Some 58 are in intensive care units (ICU), 57 of which are ventilated - a drop of four from the previous day.

In the Republic of Ireland a further 52 deaths have been recorded, bringing its total to 3,846.

A further 866 confirmed cases of the virus have also been reported.

At the executive meeting on Thursday, the first minister also said it had considered the issue of international travel.

"I do regret it's not a four and five-nation approach," she said.

She added that the executive would consider the use of quarantine hotels for passengers from so-called red list countries, if and when international flights begin in NI again.

Mr Murphy said his party had been arguing for an all-island approach throughout the pandemic, and said there were "international lessons" about how to manage travel.

"I want to see as much of a joined-up approach as we can possibly manage."

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has said 353,757 people have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland.

Verbal abuse is being levelled at vaccine call centre staff, the Department of Health has warned.

Patricia Donnelly, who heads up the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland, said there have also been issues with double-booking and no-shows at vaccine centres.

She said: "Unfortunately, there have been some instances of people who are not eligible for the jab phoning up to try to get an appointment.

"Some become abusive when they are informed that they cannot book. This is unacceptable behaviour and it must stop."

Ms Donnelly said there were concerns that abuse of the booking system was making it more difficult for people who are eligible to get through.

She added: "We are also seeing cases of some people double booking - by telephone and online. This is taking appointments from others.

"Please turn up when you have made an appointment. Please don't phone up if you are not eligible - you won't get a booking. And please be courteous to staff on the telephone lines.

"I fully understand people are anxious to get the protection that the vaccines offer. Let me assure everyone that we are rolling out the vaccination programme as quickly as we can. While it is not a race, I believe our progress to date would be the envy of many other countries.

"Our rate of progress is limited by the availability of supplies. Further vaccine supplies will come and you will get your jab. Please be patient."

Meanwhile, the department has appealed for people aged between 65 and 69-years-old to get their vaccine after demand has slowed since after an initial surge in demand when slots were made available for that age group late last month.

On Thursday, Mr Swann told Stormont's health committee that the drop in the R number had "undoubtedly saved lives".

"We always need a period of time when R is as low as possible - to more quickly break those chains of infection which are resulting in people becoming sick and hospitalised and losing their lives," he said.

"Our health and social care needs time to deliver other care and that has been delayed or disrupted by the epidemic," he added.

He also discussed the issue of new variants of the virus and said the Kent variant now accounts for 40-60% of new cases in Northern Ireland.

He was also asked about what changes are being made to the Covid-19 strategy to avoid more cycles of lockdown and lifting of restrictions.

He said a lot had been learned from the first wave of the pandemic, and they have "massively up-scaled" the test, trace and protect (TTP) programme.

He said the average contact time is now six-and-a-half hours after a positive case.

At the peak of this wave in January, 12,000 cases were referred to TTP and contact success was 93.5%, he said.

Since January, there has been an increase in the average number of contacts from one to two-and-a-half people despite the current restrictions in place, he added.

Mr Swann also said testing is being rolled out elsewhere - in workplaces, special schools, meat factories, Translink - and waste water was also being tested.