NI to start planning for second wave of COVID-19 infections due later this year confirms Health Minister Robin Swann

Minister Swann, who made the comments while appearing before the Northern Ireland Health Committee on Thursday, said the lack certainty surrounding a possible vaccine makes planning for a second wave of infections the practical and responsible next step to take.

“Modelling has indicated that we are now in the peak of the first wave of the pandemic but it’s too early to confirm whether the current figures represent the peak,” he said.

“And in the absence of a vaccine we will have to plan for a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases later in the year.

“The outbreak has not yet reached the point where some of the restrictions can be relaxed.”

Minister Swann was keen to emphasise the importance of continued adherence to the social distancing measures because progress could be "lost very quickly" of the restrictions were lifted at the wrong time.

Committee members also quizzed the Health Minister on the issue of cemetery closures across Northern Ireland.

“They could be managed with appropriate measures and supports put in place, because in terms of the mental support that we need to give individuals, there are a number of people in our community who get that reassurance, that mental support and strength by going to a graveyard and visiting a grave,” he said.

“Again it’s about the balances that we put in to make sure support mechanisms and restrictions and regulations we put in don’t have an adverse effect.

“The chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser are providing an input into a number of questions to the executive tomorrow and at that point the executive will make the decision because although the regulations that are in place are in the name of health, I brought them forward on behalf of the executive.

“The decision will lie with the executive either to ease those or strengthen those.”