Peter Robinson calls for sustainable Covid plan and an end to ‘hokey-cokey’ lockdowns

FORMER First Minister Peter Robinson has urged Stormont to “produce a long-term sustainable plan” for tackling Covid, arguing that business cannot survive on a “stop-start basis”.

The former DUP leader supports practical measures to combat the virus, including sanitising and social distancing, while calling for a more “reliable and expanded” track and trace system.

He said “face masks should be a strict requirement”, suggesting tough penalties for those who fail to comply with the guidelines aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus.

“Like any other life-imperilling offender, Covid rule-breakers must be made accountable,” he wrote in the second of what is expected to be a regular fortnightly column in the News Letter.

“Each person who flouts the restrictions encourages others to drop their guard as well.”

His former DUP colleague Simon Hamilton, who now heads Belfast Chamber of Commerce, yesterday described his one-time leader’s piece as “very fair and thoughtful”.

The ex-Strangford MLA and former Economy minister said Mr Robinson’s “advice and suggestions” should be carefully considered by the Stormont executive and that a new strategy was “most definitely needed”.

In the column, Mr Robinson acknowledges that the pandemic necessitates measures that are “highly regulated and strictly enforced”.

“Rules must be logical, understandable, and simplified ensuring the multiple messages from other regions outside Northern Ireland do not obscure what has to be done here,” he said.

But he claims to have “difficulty understanding why such controls are not to apply in schools”.

“If some areas of life require restrictions including a reduction in the usage of facilities, then I am having a difficulty understanding why such controls are not to apply in schools – class sizes and pupil hours need to be considered.

“Not only do we have a duty to protect teachers, but we need to realise that while the impact of the virus on children and young people is relatively low, they are still capable of transmitting the disease.”

While accepting that Covid “will be with us – probably forever” he believes a “hokey-cokey approach to lockdowns cannot be the answer”.

“Seeking to bring the ‘R’ rate under control, again, is the right course to take and we must all hope that the actions taken will do just that (though some may question the executive’s priorities or the fairness of them).

“But it cannot be about subduing the virus for Christmas and finding ourselves back in lockdown afterwards.”

He said a there must be a “long-term sustainable plan” that is workable for all elements and sectors of society.

“The presumption must be in favour of each social and commercial endeavour functioning – albeit with constraints and safeguards.

“Operating to Covid-safe standards cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach.”

He argues for extra funds to enable councils to inspect and certify premises as being Covid-safe, with grants for businesses to ensure they are compliant.

“It is vital to keep the public on-board because, unpopular as it may be for those who heedlessly want to get on with their lives by ignoring the danger of Covid, the price for getting the province functioning again will be accepting limitations and restrictions on how we live within a functioning Covid world.”

He concludes by noting that living with Covid will “place boundaries on every facet of our lives”.