{"id":24128,"date":"2021-11-26T09:17:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T14:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24128"},"modified":"2021-11-27T09:22:55","modified_gmt":"2021-11-27T14:22:55","slug":"northern-economy-minister-calls-for-covid-certs-to-be-dropped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24128","title":{"rendered":"Northern Economy Minister Calls For Covid Certs To Be Dropped"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gordon Lyons said the scheme was having a \u2018very real\u2019 negative impact on the hospitality sector before it had even been introduced (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s Economy Minister has called for the Stormont Executive to ditch its plan for a Covid certification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mandatory scheme comes into operation across the hospitality sector on Monday, though enforcement of fines for non-compliance will not begin until two weeks later, on December 13th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the policy, people wishing to gain entry to designated venues will need to demonstrate evidence of Covid-19 vaccination, a negative lateral flow test result, or proof of a coronavirus infection within the previous six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, four of the five Stormont Executive parties voted in favor of the scheme proposed by Health Minister Robin Swann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP Ministers voted against it, describing the initiative as a \u201cdistraction\u201d that would have marginal impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a letter to Mr Swann on Friday, seen by the PA news agency, DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons branded the proposals \u201cill thought through and in many cases unenforceable\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said it was \u201cneither fair nor reasonable\u201d for hospitality outlets to introduce the scheme on Monday when as of Friday morning the regulations putting it into law had yet to be published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the letter, which was copied to various Stormont officials and the Attorney General, Mr Lyon wrote: \u201cI think colleagues would agree that the proposal for Covid certifications was brought forward in haste with neither a clear policy intention nor any solid evidence of effectiveness in halting the transmission of the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cWhilst the threat of Covid remains very real, interventions from this Executive need to be evidence based, targeted and effective. Sadly the proposals for Covid passports are none of these things<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhilst I acknowledge that it would take an act of political bravery to change our position on Domestic Certification, I would strongly encourage Executive colleagues to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Lyons said that with every passing hour it became more apparent there was a \u201cmyriad of issues\u201d with the scheme. He said there had been a lack of meaningful engagement with sectors that would have to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the announcement of the plan has already had a \u201cvery real\u201d economic impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Lyons claimed hotels in the region had been hit with \u00a32 million (\u20ac2.3 million) worth of cancellations in the first two days after the policy was agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said Christmas parties and other bookings were being cancelled on a \u201cworryingly regular basis\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor an industry that had felt singled out during the pandemic, and has borne the brunt of restrictions, this is all hard for them to take,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is abundantly clear from listening to the hospitality sector that it is neither fair nor reasonable to introduce this policy within a matter of days when as late as this morning no regulations nor details have been shared with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said he was especially concerned about the effect on small restaurants and caf\u00e9s who not do have enough \u201cstaff or space\u201d to carry out the checks on certs.<\/p>\n

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