Stormont Executive urges safe measures against Covid while easing some restrictions
Today I spoke to a doctor who is treating patients at the coal face in a Covid-19 ward. He was saddened at one of his many patients, a young man of about 35, critically ill with Covid-19… he noted he the patient had not been vaccinated and that because of this his chances of survival were greatly diminished. The doctor said “the vaccination is our lifeline. We need to grasp it.”
Whilst many people are queuing up at A&Es across Northern Ireland’s hospitals, the Stormont Executive issued a statement to try and encourage people to adhere to safe practices and get the vaccines.
A Stormont Assembly spokesperson said: “As we move into the autumn and winter months, it is vitally important that we all continue to do what we can to make sure we protect ourselves and others from Covid-19.
“This will help keep transmission under control, help protect our health service, and allow us all to benefit from an autumn winter period with fewer restrictions in place than at any time during the pandemic.
“The Executive previously agreed that with effect from the end of October, the following relaxations would be in place:
- people can move around hospitality premises and indoor venues premises, including being able to stand to have a drink, eat food or watch a performance.
- indoor dancing will be allowed.
- the need to maintain social distancing in hospitality settings, such as pubs and restaurants will move to guidance, although we continue to ask people to keep close face to face contact to a minimum at all times.
- nightclubs can reopen.
“In preparation for the further relaxation of restrictions in hospitality settings, engagement has been taking place with the sector on the practical application of remaining rules and mitigations.
“The Executive has today confirmed that face coverings can be removed when eating and drinking in any indoor setting and when dancing.
“We received an update today from the Head of our vaccination programme, Patricia Donnelly. We are grateful to the vaccination teams for their efforts to drive up vaccination rates.
“The significant benefits of vaccination are evident. It protects the individual and those they are close to by helping to protect against hospitalisation and death. This in turn helps to reduce the pressure on the health service.
“The Covid-19 vaccination booster programme has now started and we would encourage everyone who is invited to receive their booster dose to take up the offer as soon as possible. While the booster programme has started, it isn’t too late for those who remain unvaccinated to take up the offer of vaccination for their first or second doses at any of the many participating community pharmacies.
“Together we can keep ourselves, and each other, safe. We would, therefore, again like to remind everyone of the small steps they can take to help stop Covid-19 from spreading”.
The key steps are:
- Get the vaccine when you are offered it;
- Wear a face covering in crowded or indoor settings;
- Wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing;
- Self-isolate and take a PCR test if you have symptoms;
- Take regular tests if you don’t have symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading the virus;
- Meet outside if you can, and open windows when indoors;
- Keep your distance from people not in your group; and
- Work from home where practicable, or do a mixture of home and office-based working.
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Update on vaccination travel certificate
The COVID Certification Service issues certificates for people travelling abroad, digitally via the ‘COVIDCert NI’ app, via pdf, and in print.
Since the service was launched on Friday 2 July, over 220,000 certificates have been issued to citizens in NI, supporting international travel.
Travel certificates are now being issued without any date restrictions. In addition, certificates now auto-renew once they reach expiry, without any need to re-apply.
If you are planning a holiday overseas at any time over the next 12 months, the advice is to apply now, ahead of any holiday season rush.
Dr Eddie O’Neill said: “Given the very strong demand for the certificates in the summer, we had to limit applications to prioritise those who were about to head off for their holidays.
“Such date restrictions no longer apply – anyone who wants a COVIDCert NI certificate is free to apply for one right now.
“If you intend to travel abroad at any point in the next 12 months, you should apply as soon as possible.
“I can also confirm that the certificates in the COVIDCert NI app now auto renew, without users having to take any further action. Renewed pdf certificates can also be accessed via your nidirect account online.”
The COVIDCert NI certificate provides official confirmation that you have been fully vaccinated – having had both doses of a UK approved Covid-19 vaccine.
Applications for the certificate can be made via NI Direct:
www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19-covid-certificate-ni-residents
