East Antrim families ‘modifying’ Christmas plans

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said he knows of family members who will not be travelling home in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Dickson was commenting as calls were made for political leaders to give uniform guidance on the festive season. The appeal was made to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and heads of the devolved administrations. It came in a letter from the Liberal Democrats together with the Alliance Party. Read here

Mr Dickson said: ”A lot of people are already modifying plans for the festive period. For example, I know several families who have grown up children with families of their own who are not going to stay, or come home to stay, over Xmas, or even spend Christmas Day with grannie and grandad.

“Of course, there are many thousands of young families who normally have their Christmas at home and grandparents, uncles and aunts pop round to see what Santa has brought for everyone. This year that may well be a judgement call for the adults depending on the restrictions pertaining at the end of December. “Hopefully these current restrictions will be adhered to by us all, and that will greatly assist and enable a Covid-reduced festive time.”

The debate takes place against a backdrop of the impact of ongoing pressures of the pandemic on health and care services. It is also in advance of a key season for the retail sector and night-time economy.
East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: “I think it would be a crime if we were to introduce regulations which left elderly and vulnerable people in their houses without any companionship and without any joy at Christmas.

“We should have the lightest possible restrictions on families getting together and people being catered for so they can have a good time.”

Retail NI has also called upon the Executive to back a Christmas campaign to get shoppers back into town centres. The business body met with the Finance Minister this morning to discuss further support for struggling independent retailers.

Speaking after the meeting, Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said: “Retail NI welcomes the further £11.6m support package for town centres by Executive departments as a step forward but much more will be needed to get through Christmas and beyond”

“The Executive, working with local councils and business, needs to put in place a comprehensive promotional campaign to encourage and reassure consumers to safely visit their local town centres and support local retailers.”

Read Christmas markets story here

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