WITH the lifting of restrictions yesterday, health officials are already preparing for soaring Covid infection rates and a further lockdown in coming weeks.
Robin Swann pointed to the "inevitability" of closures in the new year, while Michelle O'Neill suggested they could happen before the end of this month.
While there is uncertainty around timescales, what is clear is that the contentious two-week circuit breaker was introduced too late.
Hospitals remain in fire-fighting mode and Covid cases - while down from October's record high levels of more than 1,000 a day - are nowhere near what was hoped for, with more than 500 people testing positive yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Republic's decision to intervene earlier with a tougher six-week lockdown led to its rates plummeting to among the lowest in Europe and relatively less pressures in hospitals.
Throughout the north's pandemic, the onus has rightly been placed on "individual responsibility" with politicians and public health doctors pleading with people to follow the rules.
Mr Swann warned of the dire consequences of a "festive free-for-all", while Arlene Foster said that the trajectory of the virus is "in people's hands".
Ms Foster is right but equally the fraught decision-making by the Executive and, in particular, the staunch opposition by some DUP members to an earlier lockdown, are key factors contributing to the precarious situation we now find ourselves in.
Had a united Stormont leadership been in place, taken an earlier decisive stand and delivered clear messaging it may have made for a different outcome.
Instead, in the days before tougher restrictions came in last month, there was a stampede of shoppers in Belfast city centre as queues snaked round shops.
Customers returning to the high street appeared to be more cautious yesterday but confusion remained about some of the restrictions.
With the economy on its knees and a health system overwhelmed, the challenge for politicians in getting the balance right is undoubtedly the greatest they will ever face in their careers.
But with hope on the horizon as the roll-out of the vaccine begins, the buck stops with ministers in getting the public messaging right. It is then over to individuals.
