Health Minister reveals his fear that cabin fever is making NI people 'more lax'

Speaking on BBC Mr Swann said he was concerned people were becoming more lax over the lockdown rules and were "starting to ease up on their responsibility".

There have been 294 coronavirus-related deaths in NI.

He said the executive was working on what steps they could take to return to a sense of normality over the coming months but there would be no timetable.

"I think it will encourage a greater sense of ease and complacency if people think 'well, if it'll be alright in two weeks so it'll be alright today'," he told the BBC.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday with Steven Rainey show, Mr Swann said: "These are tough times and tough asks but the reason we're asking people to respect these draconian asks is to save lives.

"We don't have a medical cure for cabin fever but we are asking people for goodwill and determination over the next few weeks to help save lives and to help our health service.

"Rather than people just standing at their front door on a Thursday night, clapping in support of the NHS, people should think before leaving their house - 'Is this journey necessary? Do I really have to step my foot outside the front door?'

"My job as health minister is to keep the number of deaths here as low as possible but everyone has their part to play."

Mr Swann's advice comes after it was revealed that restrictions on movement to stop the spread of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland may not apply to day trippers from Northern Ireland.

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