'Please do not let your guard down' Swann plea ahead of "extremely challenging" few months
Robin Swann has warned that Northern Ireland faces "an incredibly tough winter."
And he said he was not ruling out further covid restrictions before Christmas.
The Health Minister was speaking after last night's decision by the Executive on a way forward for businesses after the circuit-breaker lockdown ends tonight.
Mr Swann said that while there were signs of hope on the horizon, the next few months will remain “extremely challenging”.
And he appealed to the public to keep fighting back against Covid-19.
He said pushing down rates of infection will protect hospitals and care homes and also allow us to have a better Christmas.
Mr Swann said last night: “It is no secret that I wanted a different outcome from the Executive.
"However, the decision today is preferable to restrictions falling and all hospitality opening this weekend. I could not countenance the consequences of that happening.
“I have been frank with the public throughout. This is going to be an incredibly tough winter for us all – especially our health and social care system and all those who depend on it and work in it.
“I want to again thank everyone for the sacrifices they are making.
“There are undoubtedly signs of hope on the horizon – in terms of progress on a vaccine, increased testing and improved treatments.
“But the vaccine is not here yet and is not guaranteed. Please do not let your guard down now. Let’s keep on the right path and get through this together.
“I am an optimist and I know this will end and we will get through it. However, I also don’t want to offer false hope to anyone. The current situation is extremely challenging and will remain so throughout the winter.
“Restrictions on our daily lives will have to continue to help stop the spread of the virus. If I have to recommend further interventions to the Executive to prevent vital services being overwhelmed, I will not hesitate to do so."