AQW 14863/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 17/02/2021
Answered On Date: 26/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 14165/17-22, to detail the scientific rationale and evidence that has informed the decision to ban outdoor sports where social distancing can be maintained.

Answer:

AQW 14165/17-22 referred to the Department of Health website which details all the Covid-19 related scientific evidence which is provided to the Executive to inform the decisions it takes around the Public Health Restrictions. i.e. https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-scientific-evidence

Outdoor sports is one element of an overall approach to reduce community transmission in order to protect the health service. By way of example, the summary paper provided by the Department of Health to the Executive in November 2021, set out the impact of community transmission on the ‘R’ rate which would ultimately impact on the healthcare system.

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/doh-summary-paper-ni-executive.

For now the Executive has decided that to continue to suppress the virus it is important that people stay at home, exercise locally and only undertake essential travel.

The return of sport including outdoor sport will be considered as one of the critical steps in the safe return of sport when the medical and scientific advice indicates that the circumstances are right. That will be a decision which will be taken by the Executive.