Sammy Wilson accuses NI Executive of ignoring economy and focusing solely on Covid-19 'medical opinions'

DUP MP, Sammy Wilson, was scathing in his criticism of the way in which the Northern Ireland Executive has responded to the spread of Covid-19.
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Mr. Wilson made the comments when he appeared on BBC Radio Ulster programme Good Morning Ulster on Tuesday morning.

LIVE UPDATES: Coronavirus NI - Investigation into link between NI death and Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination The MP for East Antrim appeared on the programme to discuss the suggestion the NI Executive might provide indicative dates for when non-essential retail and other close contact services can reopen again when it meets on Thursday.

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"I want to see a move away from this one dimensional approach which there has been so far where only the medical matters have been considered.

DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson.DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson.
DUP MP for East Antrim, Sammy Wilson.

"People do need to be able to run their businesses, people need some social freedoms and for far, far too long we have been driven by only the medical opinions.

"I hope when the Executive meets this week is look at the country as a whole and what needs to be done to get the businesses back up and running."

When challenged on his representation of the NI Executive's Covid-19 response, Mr. Wilson refused to concede any ground.

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"Children being scared witless, thinking that when they go back to school they are going to die.

"People are still afraid to go outside because terror was almost imbibed in them to keep them in line - that's done immense damage."

Mr. Wilson also accused the Executive of "sometimes closing down hospitals unnecessarily" and said he believed some of the actions taken by health chiefs to provide care for patients with Covid-19 came at the expense of people with other non-Covid conditions like cancer.

The NI Executive is due to meet on Thursday where it is believed they could announce Monday April 26, 2021 as the date when non-essential retail and close contact services like hairdressers, beauty salons and barbers can reopen.

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