Relentless warnings on risks to vulnerable folk are best Covid tactic

But confusion over the new localised rules stems from instructions that instinctively make little sense to people. The public is advised against unnecessary travel from the areas affected, yet they can travel to non essential businesses.

They cannot gather in households but can go to indoor settings such as restaurants.

While it is welcome that businesses, many of which have faced economic ruin, are not being told to close, there is a wider issue with the plausibility of fresh restrictions.

There was overwhelming public observance of lockdown for three months from March 23, which was shattered by the IRA funeral of Bobby Storey on June 30.

Yet while Stormont’s authority is damaged, the need for advice is as great as it has ever been.

One key piece of advice is that vulnerable people are far, far more at risk than less vulnerable groups.

Statistics suggest that someone over age 80 is hundreds of times more likely to die from Covid-19 than someone of school age.

So while we want the latter to enjoy enough freedom to develop in these critical years of their youth, we don’t want them infecting the former.

Relentless ad campaigns about the risks to vulnerable groups should help keep the public on a responsible path.

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