CMO: We can look forward to 'some' restrictions easing in summer

Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer says summer 2021 will look more like last summer with 'some' restrictions in place.

Dr McBride was criticised in recent days for hinting at prolonged Covid restrictions.

At a health briefing on Tuesday he told reporters it could be 2022 before life returns to 'relative normality.'

It sparked anger from the hospitality industry which called for more details.

Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive Colin Neill said the comments were made without clarification on what level of restrictions might be needed.

He added: "We need to focus on pushing the vaccine and do all we can to encourage uptake, whilst looking towards economic recovery.

"We appreciate the chief medical officer will always err on the side of caution, but general comments about ongoing restrictions have further knocked the confidence of both business owners and consumers and brought about further worry and concern."

Asked to clarify his comments on Wednesday, Dr McBride told Downtown Cool FM he 'will always give a complete, full and accurate assessment around the risks of relaxations of current restrictions.'

He added: "What I did say, just to clarify, was that it would be unrealistic to think that there would not be a requirement for some restrictions during the course of this year.

"What I did say is that I was optimistic that the summer could be more like last summer but that as we moved into autumn and winter that it was likely we'll require some additional restrictions.

"However, as we vaccinate more people and we protect more people at risk, then the risk of severe disease and the pressures on our health service will begin to reduce."