Michelle O’Neill, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar,
Arlene Foster and Tanaiste Simon Coveney at today’s North South Ministerial Council meeting
The Foyle MP said that two responses across Ireland are not sustainable and that the same approach should apply North and South.
Mr Eastwood also said that a precautionary approach should advise schools in Northern Ireland to close with a detailed plan for further action.
Colum Eastwood MP said: “Today’s meeting of the North South Ministerial Council should be used as the vehicle for coordinating a single island-wide response to the coronavirus outbreak.
“This virus doesn’t operate on the basis of jurisdictional lines, we are tying our own hands if our response diverges at Newry or Strabane or Derry.
“It is critical that our response is guided by the best available medical advice, understanding that there are differences of opinion even in the scientific and medical community about how best to tackle this crisis.
“Our unique geography, however, is a fixed reality. Whatever the response, it must extend across this island.
“I don’t believe that anyone is using this outbreak as a proxy for constitutional politics.
“In every conversation that I’ve had with political leaders, they have been motivated by the urgent need to protect lives.
“It is my firm view, however, that our responses must now unite and we must provide clear, decisive leadership.
“Many schools in the North will be closed over the coming days and many others wont. It is imperative that we provide immediate advice to our schools, colleges and universities to allow them, and parents, to prepare.
“We have been keeping this under constant review but I believe that a precautionary approach is more appropriate in this moment and that we should be advising our schools to close.
“The public need a clear roadmap detailing what further action will be taken and when so that they can plan for the time ahead.
“This crisis will not diminish in the coming days, or even in the coming weeks.
“But action now could save lives and reduce the terrible impact that this outbreak will have on people, families and communities across Ireland.
“That demands leadership now.”
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