Swann seeks executive support for Covid passports at NI

Stormont’s Health Minister has called for the gradual introduction of mandatory vaccine passports in Northern Ireland.

Robin Swann told a press conference in Belfast that he would seek executive support for the proposal on Wednesday.

Mr Swann said: “I think the time has come to gradually introduce Covid certification in Northern Ireland.

“I think this is the conversation we will have in the executive on Wednesday regarding when to introduce these regulations, but also the phasing in of the parameters that we should now consider as well.

“Our point of view as a Department of Health is that we should use whatever tools are within our options to use.”

Mr Swann said he would like passports to be deployed when the regulations are in place – a process he said would take around three weeks.

The executive recommended that nightclubs and other places carry out Covid entry checks and an official app has been developed to allow people to show proof of their vaccination status.

However, the administration stopped before making it a legal entry requirement.

There have been new calls to introduce vaccine passports after escalating pressures on the healthcare system saw ambulances hijacked from a main hospital.

Craigavon ​​Regional Hospital in Co Armagh stopped receiving ambulances carrying patients with non-life-threatening conditions last night due to severe capacity issues in its emergency department.

At one point, 108 patients were waiting in the emergency department, 32 requiring hospitalization.

However, the hospital, which had 123 Covid-19 hospital patients last night, only had three beds available.

The managing director of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said it was “exceptionally close” to declaring a major incident alert in Craigavon ​​last night.

Shane Devlin described the health service in Northern Ireland as “on the edge”.

The worsening situation comes against a backdrop of increasing rates of transmission of Covid-19, especially among young people.

The Department of Health has reported 1,457 positive cases and five more deaths in the past 24 hours.

As of this morning, there were 412 Covid-positive patients in the hospital, including 37 in intensive care.

In response to the Craigavon ​​incident, the British Medical Association called on the executive to prioritize the issue of vaccine passports.

Making certification a legal entry requirement for reception venues has been credited with increasing vaccination rates among young people in the Republic.

The issue has split the five-party coalition, the SDLP and the Alliance Party calling for legally enforceable Covid-19 passports for nightlife venues.

BMA Northern Ireland Council Chairman Tom Black said: “We have not even entered the winter months where traditionally we see our hospitals under enormous pressure.

“Hospitals and indeed our entire health service were already struggling, but Covid and the added pressure from increased patient numbers is just too much.

“We need to address these issues now. While vaccines keep many people out of the hospital, we also need to see masks being worn, contact limited where possible, and everyone coming forward for more. recalls and flu shots. The executive should also prioritize the use of Covid passports. “

Northern Ireland’s healthcare system “on the brink of collapse” – Eastwood

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood accused the two main executive parties – the DUP and Sinn Féin – of political “cowardice” and warned that Northern Ireland could face further restrictions if the certification was not urgently introduced.

DUP and Sinn Féin expressed doubts about a mandatory system, indicating their preference for a “partnership approach” with the hotel industry.

“The message from our health department has been clear – they are on the verge of collapse and want to see urgent mitigation measures introduced, including the immediate introduction of vaccine certifications to relieve staff and allow patients to take ‘get the care they need, ”says Eastwood.

“Health Minister Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist) previously warned that our hospitals will have to turn people away if the situation worsens and we saw this unfold last night at the Craigavon ​​area hospital.

“Sinn Fein and the DUP have so far shown astonishing political cowardice on this issue, a total abdication of leadership.”

However, DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots said he was not in favor of mandatory certification.

“I don’t support this at all,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“I am very clear that immunization is the best way to create normalcy and it has allowed us to again create meaningful normalcy in our day to day lives.

“And I think, you know, people should get the shot and I’m going to cheer and cuddle and pressure and I’ve done that with people I know who have hesitated.

“But forcing people to do something isn’t going to work. It won’t put people on the line.”