SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood raised the need for an all-island mass testing and tracing regime with British Government Minister Dominic Raab MP this morning.
The Foyle MP made it clear that there should be no impediment to the implementation of a North/South testing and tracing programme.
Said Mr Eastwood: “I had a further conversation with Dominic Raab MP this morning in his capacity as the minister responsible for COVID-19 preparations while Boris Johnson recovers.
“During our call I made it clear that mass testing and tracing is critical to identifying coronavirus outbreaks, isolating vulnerable communities and preventing further transmission.
“Whatever your view on inaction to date, we cannot allow complacency to place lives in danger.
“It is our strong view that this effort should be undertaken on an island-wide basis given our unique geography and more dispersed population, both of which give us advantages that must be used to save lives.
“I also raised the need for an urgent intervention from the British Government to safeguard supply lines for food, medicine and components to Northern Ireland.
“That means a package to support our airports and our freight industry. I cannot overstate how important this is in our efforts to manage this crisis.”
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