Paula Bradshaw MLA: ‘We all have a role to play in helping contain spread of coronavirus’

With a number of new cases of the virus being confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to date to 13 here since testing began, it is a public health priority for everyone.

It is essential we all play our part in restricting the spread of the new coronavirus and therefore limiting the number of COVID-19 infections.

Much of the information concerning how to do this, not least with reference to hand-washing, is clear.

However, it is vital public health information is kept updated and communicated widely.

I am concerned to hear there is no information at some United Kingdom airports, for example, not least concerning what passengers on flights from areas with high infection rates should do.

People returning from areas with high infection rates, notably most of northern Italy, should immediately to head home and self-isolate, and this should be made absolutely clear at all ports of entry to the UK and Ireland.

Likewise now that we have cases of transmission within the UK and Ireland, it is vital anyone at all, even those who have not travelled, who is tested for the virus should head home and self-isolate immediately until there is a negative test result.

I would encourage the entire executive to take steps to ensure people who need to work remotely can do so, including with reference to caring arrangements.

However, the key point here is this is a public health priority for us all as citizens.

We all have a role in ensuring the spread is contained.

l Paula Bradshaw is an Alliance Party MLA for South Belfast and also the party’s health spokesperson at Stormont