Michael Cousins Acting Managing Editor

Good afternoon

This is your Coronavirus and general news update from The News Letter.

* Protection from Covid vaccines starts to wane within 6 months.
Experts have warned that in a reasonable worst-case scenario, protection could fall to below 50 per cent for the elderly and healthcare workers by winter.

* The South Eastern Health Trust has implored unvaccinated people to get their Covid jabs, after the serious pressures on Ulster Hospital’s Emergency Department were laid bare last week.
The trust has now said “there are capacity problems for inpatient care and staffing shortages across the NHS”, not just in its area.

* Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is seeking views on reducing the frequency of MOT tests to every two years.
Ms Mallon has launched a call for evidence ahead of a decision on the potential introduction of biennial MOT testing for cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles.

* MLAs have raised concerns about 16 and 17-year-olds being excluded from a new high street voucher scheme intended to boost retail devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The scheme was devised to help struggling local businesses by giving punters cash to treat themselves to something they wouldn’t have otherwise bought.

* The police are appealing for information or witnesses following a report of criminal damage to a war memorial.
If you have any information contact Police on 101 and quote serial number 848 of 24/08/21 or you can use the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Have a good afternoon

Michael Cousins
Acting Managing Editor

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