Lockdown needed until after Easter, BMA NI chair Dr Tom Black warns as NI Executive meets to review restrictions

The Executive is due to carry out a review of the strict lockdown measures in place since December 26 when it meets today.

As things stand, the restrictions are set to expire on March 6 but the Executive is widely expected to announce some form of extension following today’s meeting.

But some easing of restrictions after March 6 could still take place.

Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, warned against easing restrictions too soon.

“It’s very clear that all governments know that any easing of lockdown has to be gradual, step-by-step,” he told the News Letter.

“It’s very clear that if we ease lockdown before Easter we’re going to suffer another outbreak due to St Patrick’s Day and the Easter holiday.

“I think in terms of the lockdown, we’re going to have to hold until after Easter.”

He said there could be some areas where the draconian measures could be loosened before Easter, and suggested the return to classrooms for primary school pupils could be one such area.

“The obvious one is primary schools,” Dr Black said.

“That will be a matter for the Department of Health giving advice to the Department of Education, and they can decide between themselves what easing they can make.

“But it’s very clear that there are still a lot of infections about. There are fewer infections in old people and there’s more vaccinations in old people but there’s still a lot of infections in the 20-30 age group, the 30-40 age group, and to some extent the 40-50 age group.

“We’re going to have to be very careful that we don’t end up causing another increase in transmission and infection.”

Looking ahead to the period after Easter, Dr Black said: “I think that by summer time we will not be back to normal but, to all intents and purposes, we will be an awful lot happier than what we are now.

“Hopefully secondary schools will be opened, then non-essential retail with social distancing, masks etc. We can only take it step by step but be guided by the science.”