Opinion

Editorial: Covid lessons must be learned

YESTERDAY marked the latest stage in the long process of lifting Covid restrictions and restoring some semblance of normality to daily life after the disruption of the last 18 months.

Up to 30 people from an unlimited number of households can now meet inside homes, a far cry from the days when children were unable to visit elderly relatives and birthdays and other family gatherings were severely curtailed.

Audience members at indoor venues no longer have to remain seated during performances.

And in a fortnight's time, the legal requirement for social distancing in pubs and restaurants is due to end, which will also allow nightclubs to re-open.

The Stormont executive has felt able to move forward due to the success of the vaccination programme, which has now reached most of the adult population.

However, it is striking that at the same time that restrictions are being lifted in Northern Ireland, rising case numbers and hospital admissions south of the border have put the planned relaxation of Covid measures in doubt.

Public health officials have warned the disease is going in the wrong direction, with health minister Stephen Donnelly suggesting movement between the Republic and the UK may be partly to blame.

There is also cause for concern in figures in Northern Ireland.

Six more coronavirus-related deaths were reported yesterday, as well as another 1,304 cases - not far behind the 1,627 recorded in the more populous south.

Infections have remained stubbornly high and the first and deputy first ministers appealed yesterday for everyone to keep following public health guidance.

It was encouraging in the context of Covid concerns on both sides of the border that first minister Paul Givan took part in a North South Ministerial Council session on health matters yesterday.

A court found earlier this week that a DUP boycott of north-south meetings is unlawful, although Mr Givan's attendance was on the basis of health being an exception to the party position rather than a direct response to the ruling.

It must also be hoped a report by MPs this week which highlighted serious failings in the early response to the pandemic in England will be closely studied in Stormont and Dublin.

Given that Northern Ireland largely followed the approach in Britain, it is vital that all relevant lessons are learned as the fight against this deadly disease shows no signs of letting up.