Coronavirus: Shutdown deadlock at Stormont was 'politics at its worst'

Pubs and other businesses affected by the current restrictions are unsure if they can reopen this weekend

The Stormont Executive's deadlock over whether to extend Covid-19 restrictions was described as "our politics at its worst again" by a business group.

Ministers have now agreed to extend restrictions for one more week with a partial reopening of some sectors next Friday.

A proposal from DUP Economy Minister Diane Dodds was supported by a majority of parties.

Sinn Féin voted against the move and the SDLP abstained.

It means close contact services and unlicensed premises can reopen next Friday.

The hospitality sector and hair and beauty salons have been closed since 16 October after tight restrictions were imposed.

Ministers were in heated discussions for days before reaching agreement, with the parties at odds over what to do when the current laws run out at midnight on Friday.

'Businesses at sea'

The delayed decision drew criticism from business groups.

Tina McKenzie, the Northern Ireland chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the "lack of communication" from the executive had led to confusion among businesses.

"They are at sea, with some saying they will not be able to open, even if they get the go-ahead," she said.

"Very few of them have got any money since four weeks ago - they have been angry and now they are in despair.

"I don't agree that it's one party or a green-and-orange issue - this is our politics at its worst again."

Some businesses had said they planned to reopen on Friday if no agreement was reached at Stormont.

Proposal blocked

Two proposals from Health Minister Robin Swann to extend all of the restrictions for one week, or two weeks, were blocked by the DUP in a cross-community vote on Wednesday.

A separate DUP proposal advocating a partial reopening of some sectors from Friday was also voted down by the executive.

Another 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by Stormont's Department of Health on Thursday, taking its overall death toll to 825.

Of the 15 deaths, 11 happened between 10:00 GMT on Wednesday and 10:00 on Thursday.

The other deaths happened within the previous three weeks and have now been added to the overall total.

Another 548 people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for the virus in the past day.

What did the executive parties say before their decision?

Earlier on Thursday, DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that his party would "look very carefully" at any new proposals.

"We recognise time is of the essence here - we do want to get a decision made," he said.

"We will do everything we can do get that arrangement.

"I'm not going to accept there will be a negative outcome - when the will is there, there is a way."

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Speaking to RTÉ, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said "anything other than that is going against the public health advice".

"The executive needs to make a decision today and that decision needs to be communicated to the public today," added the Sinn Féin vice-president.

"It needs to be for two weeks - that's the clear, straightforward advice from the health team and that is where my support will lie."

On Sunday, Ms O'Neill had suggested a partial and graduated reopening of some sectors was being considered by ministers.

Two days later, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party supported Mr Swann's proposal of a two-week extension of all restrictions, which was blocked by the DUP.

Mr Swann had warned his ministerial colleagues that doing nothing "needs to be avoided" at all costs and that some mitigations to curb the spread of coronavirus must be retained.

What's been reaction outside of the executive?

A former DUP politician also criticised the executive, describing the delayed decision as "shameful".

Jimmy Spratt, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, accused politicians of "dithering" on Thursday afternoon.

"If anyone is trying to run the clock down to midnight, the public will judge everyone in the executive at the next election," he told Talkback.

He said ministers should remember Wednesday's news of three members of one family who died within two weeks of each other with Covid-19.

"They should go to that family and ask them how they feel," he said.