Northern Ireland

Covid-19 symptoms campaign launched as police warn 'drunk people cannot socially distance'

Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14
Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14 Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14

A NEW mass campaign to raise awareness of Covid-19 symptoms is being launched today, as the weekend easing of lockdown brought police warnings that `drunk people are unable to properly socially distance'.

As Northern Ireland "progresses through the coronavirus recovery plan" with hairdressers among the businesses reopening today and pubs and restaurants reopened on both sides of the Irish Sea, the campaign will see government ads flood TV and radio stations, social and digital platforms and billboards.

It will focus on symptoms, the importance of testing and "the role contact tracing can play in limiting the spread of infection", Health Minister Robin Swann said.

The minister described it as a "vital public information campaign" and said "Test, Trace and Protect is an essential part of the battle against Covid-19 - it will help keep people safe and protect our health service".

Health Minister Robin Swann leads the applause to mark the 72nd anniversary of the National Health Service at 5pm on Sunday with his children Evan and Freya outside his Co Antrim home
Health Minister Robin Swann leads the applause to mark the 72nd anniversary of the National Health Service at 5pm on Sunday with his children Evan and Freya outside his Co Antrim home Health Minister Robin Swann leads the applause to mark the 72nd anniversary of the National Health Service at 5pm on Sunday with his children Evan and Freya outside his Co Antrim home

Dr Gerry Waldron of the Public Health Agency said testing and contact tracing "will help break the chain of transmission of this virus... allowing us to continue moving towards more normal family, working, and social lives".

"It will also help to protect our health service from being overwhelmed from a surge in cases."

Yesterday, `Clap for the NHS' returned to mark the 72nd anniversary of the service's creation, with Mr Swann among those who stood out to applaud.

While Northern Ireland towns and cities did not report any alarming scenes, street drinking and crowds of revellers in Dublin and London raised some alarm that a second wave could have been made more likely by failures to socially distance.

Chairman of the British Police Federation John Apter said it was "crystal clear" revellers would not adhere to the one metre plus rule.

Images from London's Soho showed packed streets into the early hours of Sunday morning.

There were no new deaths reported to the Republic's Health Protection Surveillance Centre and as of midnight on Saturday it had been notified of 18 confirmed cases of Covid-19, taking the total to 25,527.

However, many examples of busy streets around Dublin on Saturday evening were shared on social media, with the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) branding it "in no way acceptable and completely jeopardises public health".

"Unfortunately scenes like this have been taking place over the last few weekends in Dublin city centre," the LVA said.

Health worker Laura Durcan, who lives in Dublin city centre, said the scenes on Saturday had been "horrendous... drunken crowds everywhere, no distancing".

"I am not the fun police but I am really really worried about two weeks' time."

Figures for deaths and new cases in the north were not released over the weekend.

Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14
Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14 Kilrea barber, Davy Shiels has his shop prepared and ready for business as barbers and hairdressing salons re-open on Monday after being closed since March 14