Overseas travel is due to resume next month, however, experts have warned that non-essential international travel is still “too big a risk”.
Domestic travel restrictions have been lifted today as the country moves into phase three of the government’s roadmap, however, authorities have expressed concerns that a return to international travel next month will cause a resurgence in cases – advising Irish people against travelling abroad for the time being.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Philip Nolan, Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group at NPHET, said that travel outside of Ireland poses too big a risk and should only be allowed where absolutely necessary.
Reminding people that “the virus is still out there”, he said that an increase in the number of travel-related cases in the country recently should serve as a warning against making unnecessary journeys.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan reiterated the same concerns over the weekend, saying that he is “more than nervous” and encouraging people to stay local.
“We move to phase 3 on Mon 29th June. Very low levels of #COVID19. What worries me most now is travel from overseas and I fear many planning foreign trips. 2020 is a year for a staycation. Stay in Ireland, spend locally and follow public health advice.”
According to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, a so-called ‘green list’ of countries will be issued sometime next week. Made up of countries with similarly low rates of Covid-19, the list will feature places to which Irish people could potentially be permitted to travel to.
Header image Shutterstock/Dublin Airport
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