| Good afternoon everyone
We have long known about the short-term impact that the coronavirus has had on economies worldwide, including our own here in Northern Ireland, but now the long-term impact is beginning to show its face.
The news that 600 jobs are set to go at Bombardier in Belfast is a devastating blow for the workforce here and for the Province as a whole. It's not an unexpected announcement, because we know that Covid-19 has had a crushing impact on the aviation industry, and Bombardier says it expects a 30 per cent reduction on orders for new aircraft. However, that's of no consolation to the workers in Belfast who are now facing an uncertain future.
On Friday however, there will be a boost to the economy as many non-essential retailers can reopen again after several months with their doors closed.
This is a really welcome piece of news for Northern Ireland, and it goes without saying that the News Letter sends its best wishes to those who are reopening, either tomorrow or next week. It's important that everyone in the community, where possible and within the latest guidelines, supports those retailers and gets the local economy back on its feet.
Best regards,
Alistair Bushe, Editor If you receive this email as a subscriber thank you for supporting us. If you are a registered reader on our site you can further help us continue to produce quality journalism that matters. Digital subscription to the News Letter are available on www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions and pay just £1 for the first three months
Coronavirus breaking news: Lockdown eased to allow people who live alone to interact with others in another household | |