Vaccine programme could begin in North next week; early January distribution in Republic signalled
The commencement of the easing of restrictions on retail trade for the month of December and news that the distribution of a vaccine to combat the virus could begin in Northern Ireland as early as next week and be implemented in the Republic in early January lent more positivity to the Covid-19 situation this week than has been witnessed since the early stages of the pandemic’s onset.
But the public were advised to “proceed with caution” and not succumb to complacency by a number of authoritative voices, among them the Monaghan immunologist Professor Sam Mc- Conkey who warned that the availability of a vaccine did not represent a “silver bullet solution” to Covid-19 and social distancing and the wearing of face masks were likely to form essential components of daily living for some time to come.
On Friday last the Government announced an easing of Covid-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas, with the country returning to Level 3 in the national plan from Tuesday last. Under the revised measures people must continue to stay within their county, other than for work, education or other essential purposes and to continue to work from home where possible. From December 18 to January 6 travel…
