CBI NI responds to latest relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions

Angela McGowan, CBI NI Director, said:

“While today’s relaxing of restrictions will provide a much-needed boost for Northern Ireland’s business community, there will be some concern that the measures announced haven’t gone far enough.

“Confirmation that double-vaccinated staff will no longer have to self-isolate if they test negative will undoubtedly come as a huge relief. Across the economy absences have been hitting businesses hard, as well as exacerbating existing skills and labour shortages that threaten our economic recovery.

“However, it’s not clear why the Executive has not agreed to end social distancing or why it continues to advise the workforce to work from home. This feels like a missed opportunity to support struggling retailers that were hopeful of getting more customers through the door and making the most of the final weeks of summer.

“Many firms are also already proceeding with hybrid working models, with well advanced plans to get them off the ground.

“The Executive should now step-up its work with business to build confidence in the reopening so that we can begin to live with the virus and deliver a strong recovery.”