AQW 10886/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/11/2020
Answered On Date: 23/09/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the methodology under which the source of coronavirus infection is identified to provide evidence for targeted closures of particular economic sectors.

Answer:

During the course of the pandemic the Executive has made decisions that certain businesses and activities would have restrictions placed on them to help to suppress the transmission of the virus within the population. These combinations of restrictions reduce the pressure on our health services, protect the elderly and the vulnerable and allow other essential services to be maintained during the current pandemic.

When making decisions on restrictions the Executive take into account the latest medical and scientific advice and use a broad range of data, information and statistical indicators to inform decisions. The Executive weigh up the totality of the effect each restriction can have in combination with other restrictions in reducing the rate of infections of COVID-19. It is not always possible to disaggregate the precise impact on the rate of transmission of the virus in the community for each of the individual restrictions on their own.

Scientific evidence used by the Executive for decision making purposes is now publically available: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-scientific-evidence

As the restrictions ease I look forward to better times ahead for the local economy. In the meantime the Executive continues to do all it can to support businesses and individuals during this crisis.