LISTEN: Senior doctor warns now is not the time to reopen secondary schools in NI

by Q Radio News

A senior doctor in Northern Ireland says the reopening of schools in Northern Ireland must be done on a gradual and phased basis.

Dr Tom Black, Chair of the  British Medical Association (BMA) in NI said the reopening of schools on 8th March may be possible for primary schools. 

However, he said it is not the time to look at returning secondary school students to the classrooms. 

Stormont Ministers have agreed schools will remain closed until at least 8th March

However, the executive will meet next Thursday to review whether the current lockdown measures in place will be eased or extended beyond 5th March. 

Dr Tom Black told Q Radio, "The Prime Minister's talked about easing restrictions in March and allowing schools to open around the 8th of March. 

"This may be possible for primary schools but the R number is still quite high in Northern Ireland at around 0.8 and opening schools completely would increase that number, 

"I think we need to be careful and look at maybe opening primary schools first but not secondary schools at this time." 

Above - Dr Tom Black addressing a previous meeting of Stormont's Health Committee. Below - Dr Black speaking to Q Radio on Sunday

Dr Tom Black said any easing of restrictions must be "incremental" and gradual. 

"The lockdown we are in at the moment is having some effect. The rates of infection are still very high here, the vaccination programme is helping us in the future in terms of future transmission and future admissions. 

"But we still have a lot of work to do. 

"We have a lot of patients in hospital and a lot of patients in intensive care, so any easing of restrictions has to be incremental; it has to be small steps, it has to be by the science and by the data. 

"We have to be very careful going forward because the last thing we want is another lockdown."