Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hundreds against vaccine passports attend street rally
HUNDREDS of people attended a protest yesterday afternoon in response to the introduction of vaccine passports.
Organised by Alliance Against Vaccine Passports, the parade in Belfast made its way from Cornmarket, up High Street and along Bridge Street and North Street before moving up Royal Avenue towards the City Hall, where a number of speakers addressed the large crowd.
Several hundred people, many carrying anti-vaccine and anti-Covid certification placards and banners, attended the protest.
Those in attendance heard the event was not a protest against vaccines, but rather opposing the certification regulations, which were introduced last Monday.
Speakers also told the crowd it was an event to campaign for everyone to be treated equally “regardless of their medical status”.
Ahead of the rally, the PSNI and Translink warned road users of potential traffic disruption with some diversions to bus and Glider services operating in and out of Belfast City Centre.
Yesterday’s protest came two weeks after hundreds also met at the front of City Hall to protest against mandatory vaccination passports just as the Belfast Christmas Market reopened.
Regulations around Covid certification in NI were introduced on last Monday.
Premises covered by the regulations are required to comply but there will be a grace period without any enforcement until December 13. Covid certification requires proof of either full vaccination status; or a negative lateral flow test result in the previous 48 hours; or proof of recovery from a positive PCR test in the previous 30-180 days.
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to apply for the coronavirus vaccine certification.
In a statement, Mr Swann said: “I know how important it is for people to be able to access hospitality businesses and other venues, and the Covid Status Certification Scheme, as part of a combination of measures, will allow as much of society and the economy to function in a near normal way as possible.
“It will also help to protect the health of the population by limiting the spread of Covid-19 infection in order to minimise the numbers of cases and deaths and ensure, as far as possible, that the healthcare system is not overwhelmed this winter.”
Earlier yesterday, a further nine deaths of patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.
Another 1,642 Covid cases were also notified.
Meanwhile, Belfast Trust opened a pop-up vaccination clinic for 12 to 17-year-olds in Belfast Central Fire Station this weekend.
The clinic is open from 10am6pm today and no appointment is necessary. However, 12 to 15-year-olds must have an adult or guardian accompanying them to provide consent.