Statement by TUV Upper Bann Assembly candidate Darrin Foster:
“I welcome today’s announcement that vaccine passports will no longer be required to enter hospitality. Their imposition was always unwarranted and created a two-tier society where rules applied unequally to the public.
“No scientific proof has ever been produced to show that vaccine passports have an impact on the transition of the virus. What is clear, however, is that the requirement to share what should be private medical information had a chilling effect on the hospitality sector who have seen trade plummet at what should have been one of the busiest times of the year over Christmas.
“I also welcome the fact that the Executive has removed the requirement for people to prove they are exempt from wearing a mask. This was always a daft and unenforceable rule which caused some people considerable concern.
“Progress in lifting Covid restrictions has moved at a snail’s pace with Northern Ireland lagging behind the rest of the United Kingdom. TUV has always been clear about the importance of following the public health advice. We are also clear that we need to exit restrictions when the evidence allows. With Scotland getting rid of all remaining legal restrictions early next week the case for retaining any in Northern Ireland is diminishing rapidly.”