Northern Ireland’s Minister for Health said he was concerned about public confusion over what ministers had agreed to wear face coverings in nightclubs.
Stormont Executive has agreed that masks will not be mandatory for dancing in nightclubs when they reopen next Sunday.
Health Minister Robin Swan urged reopening clubs to consider using vaccine certification as a condition of entry.
He was speaking at Kingspan Stadium, home of Ulster rugby, which has become the site of a flu booster and vaccination clinic for Castlereagh Medical Center patients.
Mr Swan said: “What worries me is the confusion over the message we have when it comes to face coverings. Face coverings are still mandatory in Northern Ireland, whether on public transport, in retail businesses or in crowded places.
“When it comes to a single post, I’m afraid there is some confusion as to what was agreed and what was discussed.”
There has been criticism of some of the eases the CEO has agreed to, with Dr Tom Black, chairman of the BMA’s Northern Ireland Council, calling him ‘crazy’.
Alliance and SDLP ministers also insisted that easing should only continue if it comes with mandatory vaccine passports.
On October 31, nightclubs are set to reopen in Northern Ireland and social distancing rules that currently limit capacity in pubs and restaurants will be moved from regulation to directive.
People will also be able to move freely in the reception areas from this date, including being able to stand at the bar for a drink.
Responding to criticism of the executive’s decisions, Mr Swan said: “I would ask people to consider the proportionate steps the executive has taken in terms of easing restrictions, and we have always taken them at a moment when we have seen that there is the ability to do so.
NI #covid19 Updated data:
???? 1323 positive cases and unfortunately 10 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.
2,611,178 vaccines were administered in total.
Vaccines ➡️https://t.co/Yfa0hHVmRL
The dashboard will be updated on Monday, October 25 pic.twitter.com/QstSeo8BWA
– Ministry of Health (healthdpt) 23 October 2021
“What I’m going to say, this easing of restrictions also came with a few questions. There is an option for anywhere for advice on using the Covid vaccine certification or people who have received a lateral flow test. I would encourage them places that open their doors to look at this guidance that is in place. ”
“But the people who go to nightclubs are also responsible. One of the things I would tell them is to be responsible. ”
Swan on Friday warned Northern Ireland’s health services were facing their harshest winter ever, as he detailed winter and Covid delivery plans in local health trusts.
Speaking on Saturday, he said: “What winter is like, it’s austere and disturbing.
“One of the things we’ve done and had to do over the past 18 months is to work together and produce that level of plans to make sure we have contingencies in place.
We know why we are in this situation. It is 10 years of underinvestment in our health services. It’s not just in bricks and mortar, it’s also in our workforce.
“We are catching up, not just in terms of that, but we are catching up as we fight what is still a global pandemic and virus. In a health service that is having trouble getting started. “
The minister also expressed his joy to see so many people coming to Kingspan Stadium to get a booster dose of the Covid virus and anti-flu.
Dr Deirdre Savage, general practitioner at Castlereagh Medical Center, said: “We are very grateful to Ulster Rugby for their support as we aim to vaccinate 2,500 patients over the next few weeks.
Covid-boosted flu vaccines play a vital role in protecting people this winter. We strongly encourage patients who qualify for both capsules to apply when it is their turn. You don’t have to call your GP, they’ll call you. ”
Meanwhile, 10 more deaths of patients testing positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.
The region’s health ministry has also reported 1,323 cases of the virus.
–
