Opinion

Bombardier jobs news a devastating blow

The announcement that more than 600 jobs are set to be lost at Bombardier in Belfast is a devastating blow to workers and underlines the severe impact that coronavirus is having on the economy.

The global aviation industry has suffered dramatic changes in the past few months, with air travel sharply curtailed, planes grounded and thousands of employees furloughed, with major implications for manufacturing.

Bombardier Aviation is blaming the "extraordinary industry interruptions and challenges" caused by the pandemic as it proposed cutting 400 core staff members and 200-plus contractors at its Belfast operation.

This news cast a cloud over the latest ministerial decisions aimed at getting business back up and running.

At a press briefing yesterday, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill confirmed that all retailers, including shopping centres, will be allowed to reopen from today while the housing market has also been opened up, which will come as a huge relief to the property sector and people who have had to put house moves on hold.

The number of people who can meet outdoors was increased to ten while those living alone will be able to visit another household indoors, which will disappoint those hoping for a wider lifting of restrictions, although there may be further movement next week.

Michelle O'Neill described the executive's approach as a 'rolling programme of easement' but there is no doubt that the pace of relaxation has picked up.

The faster rate of reopening in the Republic may be having an influence and certainly businesses in the border areas will be concerned at being placed at a competitive disadvantage.

However, while there is clearly an improving picture in terms of the number of deaths and new cases of infection, the first and deputy first minister are right to emphasise caution.

The reality is that we do not have a vaccine and the fear being expressed by a wide range of international scientific experts is that we could see a second wave of Covid-19.

As shops throughout the north open their doors and other aspects of life start to crank up, it is tempting to think that the threat is behind us, but that attitude would be dangerous.

Rather than relaxing our guard, we must remain vigilant and adhere rigorously to the public health advice on social distancing and infection control.