Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CIRCUS BREAKER
Fury from businesses as Stormont orders new two-week shutdown
STORMONT ordered a coronavirus shutdown last night – and sparked a furious backlash.
Business leaders slammed the new restrictions, which see non-essential shops and churches close for a fortnight from next Friday. It comes just a week after the DUP rejected less rigid plans from Robin Swann, left. EX-DUP Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said it will have “a catastrophic effect on jobs”.
NORTHERN Ireland is facing a strict lockdown after the DUP did a U-turn and agreed to restrictions that even include churches.
The Executive revealed the measures last night after the party softened its stance in a bid to drive the R number down. The new restrictions will cover the period from November 27 until December 11, meaning some businesses, such as hairdressers, which can reopen today will have to close again . Measures signed off include:
The closure of all but essential retail Off-licences will remain open with an 8pm closing time Closure of close contact services Closure of all hospitality, but takeaway and delivery can open Elite sports events behind closed doors without spectators
No household gatherings of more than one household, other than current arrangements for linked households (bubbles), and
Closure of places of worship, except for weddings, civil partnerships and funerals. The move sparked an angry reaction with some questioning how such strict measures could be agreed after the DUP stood in the way of a two-week extension proposed by Robin Swann on November 5. One source said: “What was all the huffing and puffing for the last week?
“We would have been coming out of the extended restrictions in early December, possibly with the R number under control. Instead we have this unholy mess.” Belfast Chamber of Commerce chief and former Finance Minister Simon Hamilton tweeted: “There is real anger tonight that the Executive’s new lockdown decision will inevitably have a catastrophic effect on jobs and livelihoods.
“Many businesses have said to me
they feel they’d have been far better off being told they ’d have to remain closed for this long weeks ago, rather than being repeatedly given reopening dates that haven’t been realised.
“Their trust in this Executive is now at rock bottom.”
Aodhan Connolly, director of the
Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the closure of non-essential retail “during what is our golden quarter is a huge blow to retailers already feeling the squeeze of decreased footfall and increased costs”. Hospitality
Ulster chief Colin Neill added a “reopening date is now irrelevant, it’s now about a rescue package”.
Schools and childcare can remain open with universities and further education to have learning at distance except where it is essential to provide it face to face.
Public parks and outdoor play areas can remain open.
First Mini st er Arl en e Foster said: “The Executive has been presented today with the sobering prospect of our hospitals becoming overwhelmed within weeks. “It is clear that a tough, carefully timed intervention is required to give us the best chance to have a safe and happy Christmas and further into the new year period.”
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Without this further intervention, there was a very real risk of our hospitals being overwhelmed in the run-up to Christmas.
“Care for Covid and non-covid patients would have been in severe jeopardy. We must not let that happen.”