The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Part of Executive Committee Business – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 7:45 pm on 13 December 2021.

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Photo of Rachel Woods Rachel Woods Green 7:45, 13 December 2021

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was speaking to the communication on the certification scheme. I will bring my remarks to a close very shortly.

I was about to speak about Diane Marks, who has sight loss. She specifically outlined the difficulties in accessing information independently. She described her partner's experience of downloading COVID certification as "pulling teeth". From talking to people, I know that they have limited understanding of what they need, how they can access the certificate and where they do and do not need to show it. We are getting calls from the carers of elderly people who are isolating and are not able to get their certificates because they do not know that they can order a physical one. Again, I have raised the issue in questions, but we need a public awareness and information campaign that really gets to people who do not have social media, internet access or smartphones or who do not watch the news daily.

Not everyone has to have an app, as we know, but much of the focus has been on that. It is important to clarify a number of aspects of the regulation. Yes, you can go to a licensed premises or theatre with a paper certificate; yes, you can go with proof that you have recovered from the virus; yes, you can go with your lateral flow test, taken on that day, showing a negative result. No, you do not need to have a QR code with your face beside it if you want to go to a pub.

I am disgusted that I even need to say this, but I think that we have all had the accusation: supporting COVID certification is not equivalent to supporting the Nazis. I am not a member of the SS. It is not OK to send MLAs pictures of swastikas or to abuse Ministers — or any other person, for that matter — online or to issue death threats to anybody. This is a global health pandemic.

Mr Dickson outlined a very personal testimony, and I know a great number of people who share his experience and thoughts. I thank him for sharing that. I urge everyone to act responsibly. Wear your face covering if you can. Wash your hands, keep safe, look after each other, and please be kind to one another. Our front-line health and care workers have worked and worked, and they are expected to keep going. We have all made sacrifices, and family and friends are grieving because they have lost loved ones.

Last Christmas was horrendous for everybody. I go back to the example of my gran. Last year, I stood outside her house, waving at her. It was the first time that she had ever spent Christmas away from family. I do not want to do that again, and I do not know any other member of our society who would want to do that either. As we move into another phase of the pandemic with new variants, and the Executive consider further responses, they must provide clear communication and guidance. Please provide detail and information, and please provide support to those being affected.