Swann offers up hope after McBride gloom

He was speaking after the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, suggested in a press briefing earlier this week that restrictions would be needed “into next year”.

Mr Swann, however, stressed at a Stormont press conference yesterday evening that having restrictions in place does not necessarily mean full lockdown.

He sought to “offer people hope” following the chief medical officer’s earlier comments.

That message of hope from Mr Swann – which was tempered with caution – came as his department reported the lowest daily coronavirus death total since October, with four fatalities.

Dr McBride’s earlier warning about the continued need for restrictions drew concern about the prospect of further disruption to education and the economy.

Yesterday, the minister sought to clarify the comments as he pointed out that ‘restrictions’ could simply mean the wearing of face coverings rather than draconian stay-at-home orders.

“As the chief medical officer has rightly made clear, some restrictions may be with us into the long-term,” Mr Swann said.

“We may be wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport for a time to come.

“That kind of restriction may well become part of our new normal.”

As things stand, the current lockdown measures are due to expire on March 6 but the Executive is keeping this under review.

Mr Swann urged caution when it comes to the prospect of easing restrictions.

“We have to crawl before we walk, walk before we even think about running,” he said.