AQW 13811/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 01/02/2021
Answered On Date: 26/07/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has considered a zero COVID strategy; and to detail the challenges of such an approach.


Answer:
I and my officials routinely discuss measures to reduce the spread of the virus and to help manage the pressures on our health and social care system. The Executive's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is led by the latest medical and scientific advice and we use a broad range of data, information and statistical indicators to inform decisions.
A range of evidence used in the consideration of dealing with the pandemic is published online by my department at the following link:
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-scientific-evidence
In December 2020, the Executive established an Executive COVID Taskforce, chaired by the interim Head of the Civil Service, to support a coherent and comprehensive response to the pandemic going forward. The Taskforce includes a number of work streams relating to adherence and compliance, protecting the public, strategic communications and recovery.
On 2 March this year, the Executive published its planned pathway out of the current COVID-19 restrictions. The Pathway is supported by a revised process for a 4-week Executive review cycle. The new process also permits a more urgent consideration of proposals from Departments deemed to have urgent or compelling reasons to fall outside the four week review process.
In this new process, the management of the changes to the restrictions regulations moved to the COVID Strategy Group in the Executive Office (TEO).
TEO holds the lead responsibility and operational management of the process leading to Executive decisions on the ongoing need for restrictions and the requirement to amend the regulations. This responsibility includes receiving and managing all proposals from Executive departments, management of the decision making process and facilitating consultation with departments on the drafting of amendment regulations.
This work is supported by a Cross-Departmental Working Group, chaired by the Director of the TEO COVID-19 Taskforce team with membership from all 9 Departments and key stakeholders, including local government and PSNI.