A proposal to move Coronavirus-free care home residents to hotels has been described as “feasible”.
The trade union Unison has called for all residents and staff working in care homes to be tested to determine who has Covid-19, with those testing negative to be moved in a bid to save lives.
The latest figures have indicated that the virus has now been detected in 53 residential facilities in Northern Ireland.
Currently, a Belfast city centre hotel is being transformed into a step-down facility for patients recovering from Covid-19.
Colin Neill, of Hospitality Ulster, said the proposal for care home residents would be feasible.
“The Ramada Encore already has been converted to a hospital for people who are convalescing from coronavirus,” he said.
“It would be feasible to do, whether the powers that be from a health perspective feel it is doable or desirable, there are umpteen hotels that could be commissioned to take them.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said this option is being examined by Health Minister Robin Swann.
“That’s something that the Health Minister is already looking at, we chatted briefly about this last week. He is looking if there a possible way to have, for example, Covid-free residents in nursing homes moved,” she told the BBC.
“That is a very challenging thing to do, but if it is necessary and something that helps us protect people, then all those options are on the table.
“I expect that we will speak more about this today at the executive.”
Meanwhile, Ms O’Neill shied away from backing calls to extend a rates holiday for businesses.
“There’s a whole package of measures that we have brought forward and we will continue to look at this. We’ve settled ourselves to say that we are going to take a strategic overview of how we can use the finite budget that we have and how we’re going to use it to the best effect,” she said.
