NI ministers to consider reducing use of Covid certification

Paul Givan said, while he would support the removal of mandatory certification entirely, he anticipated a majority of ministers in the powersharing administration will back proposals to retain the system in higher risk settings.

Mr. Givan’s comments come ahead of a meeting of the Executive this afternoon (Thursday).

Laws requiring people to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and large-attendance events were introduced last November.

The move proved politically contentious with Mr. Givan’s DUP party voting against the scheme while the other four Stormont Executive parties backed it.

Patrons wishing to access nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises have been required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result or evidence of a previous Covid-19 infection.

The same rules have applied for entry to large indoor and outdoor events, such as concerts and sporting events.

A phased approach to the discontinuation of the system could see the removal of the requirement in settings such as pubs, restaurants and cinemas, with certification being retained for nightclubs and some other settings.

Nightclubs have been closed in Northern Ireland since December 26 as part of a series of restrictions agreed on December 22 in response to the Omicron variant.

Ministers also imposed fresh measures on the rest of the hospitality sector, including a return of table service and a ban on dancing.

Ministers are expected to announce the removal of the majority of the December restrictions after Thursday’s meeting.

This is anticipated to be part of a phased approach to the lifting of remaining Covid restrictions in the region.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr. Givan reiterated his party’s opposition to Covid certification.

Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan (Brian Lawless/PA).

“We didn’t support their introduction, I don’t support them in any setting,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“I would want them to be lifted in its entirely because we didn’t believe that the evidence existed to justify their introduction. We think that it’s been incredibly controversial and distractive at a time when we needed to focus on key public health messages that actually worked.”

He added: “Where I can make progress even in terms of reducing its application in certain settings then I will support the reduction of its use but my preference is that the Covid mandatory passport scheme would be removed and its entirely but my expectation is that it will be removed in certain settings.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill expressed hope on Wednesday evening that the Executive could make “some positive strides forward on the Covid front, and particularly in relation to restrictions all the while guided of course by the health advice”.