SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called for COVID-19 vaccine passports to be introduced to enable entry into pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland, in line with the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Eastwood has also called for vaccines to be made compulsory for staff working in hospitals and care homes.
“The weeks ahead represent a critical juncture in our effort to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control and protect people across our communities. We have a narrowing window to learn from our past experience of the virus and maximise the opportunities presented by the vaccination programme which has undoubtedly saved lives.
“I have been alarmed by the consistently high numbers of new cases over the last number of weeks. It has placed additional strain on health services that have been operating beyond their stress limits for eighteen months. As we enter the winter period, when we know that seasonal pressures will increase, with dire warnings from the Health Minister about the closure of A&E departments and interruptions to ambulance cover, we need to take action,” he said.
The suggestion however has been criticised on social media.