MLAs have been told that mandatory Covid certification is for the “overall protection of the people of Northern Ireland” as they backed in the Assembly the introduction of regulations for the scheme.
The North's Minister for Health Robin Swann also issued a plea for unity over the messaging coming out of Stormont in the fight against Covid.
Following a Stormont debate, the regulations for the mandatory Covid certification scheme were passed by MLAs on Tuesday by 59 votes to 24. The DUP voted against the scheme.
The scheme, which requires people to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and large-attendance events, was introduced late last month with a two-week grace period to allow businesses to adjust to the new requirements.
Patrons wishing to access nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result or evidence of a previous Covid-19 infection in order to gain entry.
The same rules will apply for entry to large indoor and outdoor events, such as concerts and sporting events.
The Assembly discussed the regulations for several hours on Monday night and returned on Tuesday, when Mr Swann closed the debate and votes were cast.
He told MLAs: "I think we do need to come out of this with the communication coming from this place that we take these steps, sometimes reluctantly, sometimes we may be opposed to them, but they are taken for the overall protection of the people of Northern Ireland and the support of our health service in challenging times.
“It is not an easy subject in regard to Covid regulations.
“The challenges that are faced by our population, by our health service in what is a global pandemic aren’t easy either, but we have come through worse and we will come through this as a stronger health service because of the changes we have needed to evolve.
“We will also come through it stronger as a society.”
Mr Swann added: “I would ask for those who seek division over this issue to look to what we can achieve when we pull together rather than looking for further division and we tackle Covid as a united society in Northern Ireland, doing everything that we can and everything that we know works.”
Opposition
The DUP opposed the scheme at Executive level and voted against it following the Assembly debate.
But the Minister for Health said the DUP First Minister Paul Givan had already warned that a "storm is coming" with the expected rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Northern Ireland.
He told MLAs: “You are better preparing for a storm when it is not raining, rather than waiting until you are up to your knees in water.
“That is what the purpose of these regulations, as part of a wider package, intends to do.”
Speaking earlier in the debate, DUP MLA Pam Cameron said she was disappointed by the decision of Mr Swann to "ignore the lack of crossbench support for this policy prior to its becoming active".
“And that the health minister chose to ignore that lack of crossbench unity, instead deciding to plough ahead with this particular piece of legislation,” she told MLAs. – PA