We must show same spirit seen in March

All week it appeared we were being softened up for quite a stringent rowing back on the lockdown easements of recent weeks. Health Minister Robin Swann was talking of the variety of measures open to him to curb the worrying increase in new cases of Covid-19.

But ultimately it seems that the Executive came up with a compromise which continues to balance public health concerns with the need to keep the economy ticking over.

Whether there is sufficient weight given to protecting health is something that will only become apparent in the coming weeks.

For the measures announced by Mr Swann yesterday were relatively mild, curtailing the number of people who could meet in households or at domestic outdoor settings. Other venues such as churches or sports grounds will remain open to the public provided they can demonstrate their ability to stick to tried and tested anti-covid measures.

He is right to emphasise the necessity for the reintroduction of restrictions, as new cases are running at an average of 40 per day. The speed with which the transmission of the virus has increased has taken many people by surprise and shows that it is still a potentially lethal threat to the entire province.

The problem with Mr Swann’s new restrictions is how to ensure they are implemented. He made much of the fact that the PSNI has pledged to intervene where officers see the restrictions being flouted and particular scrutiny will be directed at known hotspots like Mid and East Antrim, Newtownabbey and Belfast.

This is a fine theory but the reality is that police cannot be on every street corner and cannot see every house party or gathering of more than the allowed numbers in outdoor settings such as someone’s back garden.

It is clear that a significant proportion of the public is more reluctant to adhere to even mild restrictions than they were when lockdown was first introduced towards the end of March.

Then people responded magnificently, taking on board the message that we are all in this together and that everyone had a part to play in curbing the pandemic.

This time around there is evidence of greater selfishness and disregard for others, particularly the most vulnerable in society.

The new restrictions will work best if people can be persuaded to act responsibly and return to the spirit of March.