SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that confirmation from a team of experts who have been advising the British Government that they only realised in the last few days that their entire approach to Coronavirus ‘mitigation’ could not work should create the space for a break from the approach in the North of Ireland.
The Foyle MP said that the report from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team revealed that health service surge capacity limits could not cope with the millions who could be put at risk by such a strategy.
Said Colum Eastwood MP: “The modelling that the British Government was relying on for the ‘herd immunity’ approach has been severely compromised. An urgent and fundamental shift in approach is now needed.
“Our response must be to adopt the World Health Organisation advice on urgent action. We cannot afford to wait for the politics of this U-Turn to be spaced out over a few days.
“I believe in the sincerity of political leaders here who have advocated for the previous strategy.
“They were motivated by saving lives. But the evidence base has changed substantially and our response must urgently change as well.
“We are witnessing a blanket of unilateral decisions by school leaders to close for the rest of this week.
“We need to provide all schools with the cover to close and prevent the spread of the virus.
“That will create some space, at least, for considering a more substantial closure decision.
“We need, now, to be considering a more substantial plan for locking down spaces where people are in close proximity and the risk of transmission is increased.
“The political discussion needs to move beyond just schools.
“I welcome the Executive’s commitment to a relief package for business.
“But we should recognise that the Executive’s authority and spending capacity is limited.”
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