Executive Daily Update: Initiatives to deal with Coronavirus (12 June 2020)
Date published:
Northern Ireland Executive ministers and their officials have over the past 24 hours been involved in a number of initiatives and critical decisions relating to the Coronavirus emergency.
A graphic explaining how recent changes to the Coronavirus Regulations will impact members of the public was released by the Executive today.
The graphic has been published on nidirect and outlines what people can now do in a number of areas, including family and community life; work; retail; and sport, cultural and leisure activities.
An Executive Office spokesperson said: “As the Executive moves through its five-step recovery plan, further relaxations will be made to the restrictions on a rolling basis. The information provided for the public gives a clear indication of the changes still to come in each of the key sectors set out in the Executive’s recovery document.”
A virtual wellbeing hub to promote positive mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic was launched today by the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Health Minister Robin Swann.
The CovidWellbeingNI hub is hosted on the MindingYourHead website at www.mindingyourhead.info and draws together information, self-help guides and ways people can find support on a range of mental health and wellbeing issues.
Minister Hargey commented: “The CovidWellbeingNI partnership draws together an unprecedented wealth of expertise and support with one clear aim – to promote the positive mental health of people including those vulnerable people and communities who are struggling at this time. Existing inequalities have been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic and it is important that information and support reach as many people as possible.”
The CovidWellbeingNI partnership, involving the Department for Communities, the Department of Health, five leading mental and wellbeing health charities and the Healthy Living Centre Alliance representing 28 local Healthy Living Centres, is also calling on people to:
- Acknowledge how they are feeling and coping at this time;
- Take positive action to look after their mental health; and
- Reach out for help and support.
Minister Swann explained: “This is a key part of the Covid Mental Health Response Plan I announced two weeks ago. I would encourage people to use this unique and impressive resource created as a direct response to the emotional impact Covid-19 is having on our society.”
Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced a £1.7 million investment in a range of free online courses designed to upskill and retrain people whose jobs have been impacted by Covid-19.
The funding will be used to deliver a range of short courses delivered by local further education colleges and universities, with almost 2,000 free places created.
The courses are fully accredited and include opportunities from entry to postgraduate levels, focussing on skills identified by industry including digital skills, essential skills, employability skills and leadership and management.
Minister Dodds observed: “Many people and businesses have been deeply affected by the economic impact of Covid-19. It is vital, in the short term, that we provide opportunities for individuals which will support them in finding new employment, or boost the potential of their businesses when they return to work. With these reskilling opportunities available through these short term courses, there is the potential for workers directly affected by the economic impact of Covid-19 to embark on a new career in this essential and rewarding service.”
All courses will be delivered online and participation will be flexible to fit around the lives of individuals, many of whom may be working from home or providing support to children or vulnerable relatives. All courses include an accredited qualification and will be complete by the 30 November 2020.
With just two weeks remaining until the 30 June deadline for this year's Agricultural and Horticultural Census expires, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots today reminded farm businesses to fill the form in online as soon as possible.
With the census being filled in completely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Minister Poots said it was vital for gauging patterns within the sectors and was used to inform the Departmental policy.
The Minister noted: “Last year, only 18% of forms were filled in online. Obviously with the survey going completely online this year, I am encouraging everyone to take the 15 minute survey before the 30 June deadline, and ensure we can capture what’s happening across Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
- The Northern Ireland Executive is producing a regular digest of key initiatives and decisions that have been undertaken by ministers and their Departments relating to the Coronavirus crisis.
- Members of the public are encouraged to check regularly the Public Health Agency, NI Direct, NI Executive and government departmental websites and social media channels for public health advice on how to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
- The Coronavirus: Executive Approach to Decision-Making document, which outlines how the Executive is approaching key decisions relating to Covid-19 restrictions on society, is available on The Executive Office website - www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/publications/coronavirus-executive-approach-decision-making
- Current information and advice in relation to Covid-19 can be found on the PHA website at: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus.
- Patients who have a persistent cough, or high temperature, together with any other members of their household must self-isolate according to the guidance on the PHA website at: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus#what-should-i-do-if-i-think-i-have-coronavirus and should book a test immediately via can be booked by phoning 119 or through the website nhs.uk/coronavirus. Tests are available for everyone over the age of five.
- The ‘Test, Trace and Protect’ strategy can be accessed via: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/Test-Trace-Protect-Support-Strategy.pdf
- The Department of Health NI’s Covid-19 NI information app provides people with immediate advice and links to vital trusted information. The app will be updated as the pandemic evolves. Download the Covid-19 NI app - search for Covid-19 NI on the Apple app store and Covid-19 NI on google play. The online version of the app is hosted on a new website https://covid-19.hscni.net.
- A Covid-19 statistical dash board can also be viewed on the Department of Health’s website at: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMWFhZDgzZDYtMTE4Yi00MTBjLWIzYmQtMTZhYzc1MGEyMTk1IiwidCI6IjljOWEzMGRlLWQ4ZDctNGFhNC05NjAwLTRiZTc2MjVmZjZjNSIsImMiOjh9.
- The Framework for the Wellbeing of Health and Social Care staff can be accessed at the following link: www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2020-04/HSC_Regional%20Staff%20Wellbeing%20Framework.pdf and is based on evidence and best practice guidance and is informed by The British Psychological Society Guidance Paper.
- Psychological Support Help Lines will be staffed by psychologists and psychological therapists who can provide appropriate support throughout the surge phase of the crisis.
- The Helplines will be made available by each Trust to all their staff, to all GP Practices in their area, to all Ambulance staff based in their area and to all independent sector care providers in their area. In this way support is offered to all parts of the system throughout surge.
- The Framework document is supported by resources which are available on the PHA website: www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/guidance-hsc-staff/staff-health-and-wellbeing.
- If you are in distress or despair at any time including the Covid-19 crisis, the 24/7 Lifeline helpline is available on 0808 808 8000 where trained counsellors are available to help you.
- Updated guidance for care homes is available on DoH website at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/covid-19-guidance-nursing-and-residential-care-homes-northern-ireland
- Anyone wishing to volunteer for health and social care support roles can do so via: www.hscworkforceappeal.co.uk/.
- The Freephone Covid-19 Community Helpline can be accessed by telephone on 0808 802 0020; email covid1@adviceni.net or text ACTION to 81025. It is available 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.
- Statistics on weekly deaths registered in Northern Ireland can be accessed on NISRA’s website at: https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/weekly-deaths.
- A list of schools which are open for educational supervision is available on the Department of Education website: www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/schools-open-supervised-learning-key-workers-children-and-vulnerable-children.
- A link to the guidance on schools clustering is available here: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/guidance-schools-cluster-arrangements.
- Forms for those applying to provide supervision to vulnerable children and the children of key workers can be accessed from the Department of Education website using the following link: http://apps.education-ni.gov.uk/appc19vol/default.aspx.
- The online application form for small businesses that rent premises is available at: http://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/RentalPropertiesandNAVBelow1590.
- Information on the full range of Covid-19 related support for businesses is available at: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/campaign/coronavirus-updates-support-your-business.
- A £100m rates relief package for businesses was announced on 17 March – https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/covid-19-ps100m-emergency-rates-package-businesses. A copy of the Rates Relief Information policy advice for Minister can be obtained via https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/policy-advice-minister-rates-relief-information-paper
- The ‘Charting a course for the economy: our first steps’ paper can be accessed at: www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/charting-course-economy
- Workplace safety guidance for Northern Ireland businesses is available at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-workplace-safety-guidance-and-priority-sector-list
- Information about the Covid-19 Charities Fund is available from: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-charities-fund
- The Department of Health’s new framework, ‘Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services - Strategic Framework’ is available on the Department's website at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/rebuilding-hsc-services.
- The wellbeing hub is one strand of an approach to a Community Wellbeing programme of work being delivered by a consortium of community partners, led by Inspire to build on existing mental health and wellbeing resources within the voluntary and community sector to complement the work of the Emergency Leadership Group response to Covid-19. The partner organisations are: Action Mental Health, Cause, Nexus, Aware, Mindwise, Cruse, Barnardo's, Relate, Praxis, Rainbow, Age NI, Inspire, Addiction NI, Rural Support, Community Development & Health Network, Healthy Living Centre Alliance, Public Health Agency, Department for Communities and Department for Health. The CovidWellbeingNI hub is hosted on the Minding Your Head website www.mindingyourhead.info. The Minding Your Head website is managed by the Public Health Agency. The hub will enhance existing access to information and services that support mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Full details about the skills courses available to people whose jobs have been impacted by Covid-19 will be advertised directly by colleges and universities. A full portfolio of the available courses will also be included on nidirect at www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills-courses
- All information collected in the Annual Agriculture and Horticulture Census will be treated in complete confidence. As an additional security feature within the online format of the survey, each of Northern Ireland’s farm businesses should have already received a unique five-digit code to safeguard their identity when logging into the service. If you have not received the unique code, please email DAERAsurveys@daera-ni.gov.uk or call 0300 200 7840 and ask for your local DAERA Direct Office. They will pass your details to us and a member of the Farm Census team will contact you as soon as they can. To access the form go to https://daera-surveys.researchfeedback.net/7ez453 ,use your unique five-digit code and complete details as requested.
- Media enquiries should be directed to the relevant department using the following email addresses:
The Executive Office: Press.Office@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk;
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: PressOffice.Group@daera-ni.gov.uk;
Department for Communities: Press.Office@communities-ni.gov.uk;
Department of Education: Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk;
Department for the Economy: PressOffice@economy-ni.gov.uk;
Department of Finance: dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk
Department for Infrastructure: Press.Office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Department of Health: PressOffice@health-ni.gov.uk
Department of Justice: Press.Office@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.