A Belfast businessman has expressed fears for the clinically vulnerable, including his own wife, amid coronavirus restrictions being further relaxed.
Tattoo artist Richard Montgomery is speaking out after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that those who test positive for coronavirus are no longer legally required to isolate since last Thursday, while free universal testing will end on April 1 in England.
While Health Minister Robin Swann has said no decisions have been taken on any changes to test and trace here, Richard, who runs Killer Bee Tattoo studio on the Lisburn Road, is fearful of any similar move.
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As a close contact service, Richard, 33, is particularly concerned about the potential implications if the requirement to self-isolate ends here.
His wife, Rachel, 36 has multiple sclerosis (MS) and is therefore considered vulnerable.
"She should really be isolating still but it's impossible to do that if we want to try and live a normal life," Richard told Belfast Live.
"We were a bit taken aback by Boris Johnson's announcement last week as in Northern Ireland, we tend to be only a few weeks behind England so we're left wondering when it will happen for us.
"I opened a brand new tattoo shop last year and as we are a close contact service, any change here around self-isolation will affect my life hugely especially if we have people coming through our doors with Covid who are not isolating," he explained.
"We're trying to get our customers to be honest with us by telling us if they are unwell so we can put their appointment back. I know that we, along with some other tattoo artists, are in the situation where we're just booked up for months.
"Our fear is that people will take the risk and turn up for their appointments even if they have got Covid and spread it."
Richard added: "Obviously in my line of work, when I'm tattooing someone, I'm right up close to them so with any new variants that are more transmissible, if they did have Covid then I'm more likely to get it and spread it to other customers, staff and my family.
"They may think that just because they're fine everyone else will be but unfortunately it's not that simple and vulnerable people like my wife will be put at risk.
"Of course I realise we have to move forward when it comes to Covid but I'm just concerned about doing it too soon and the potential implications," he added.
Robin Swann has said his department will "carefully consider" the Living with Covid plan unveiled in England last week.
Under the strategy, those who receive a positive Covid-19 test will still be advised to stay at home for at least five days, but will not be obliged to in law under the plans subject to parliamentary approval.
Mr Swann has said no decisions have been taken on any changes to test and trace here.
"My department continues to keep all aspects of the Covid-19 test and trace programme in Northern Ireland under review to ensure it remains proportionate and effective," he added.
Mr Swann said any policy changes in Northern Ireland will be informed by the latest "clinical and scientific advice and consideration of the Covid situation".
"Our key priorities for testing include ensuring that it is prioritised for those who need it most," he said.
"It is also imperative that we have appropriate contingency planning in place, with flexible testing capability which can be rapidly deployed to respond to any future variants or seasonal surges."
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