A ‘green list’ of countries with unrestricted travel access to Ireland could be published this day next week, but not activated until a later date.
A final decision on air bridges is being made by a Cabinet sub-committee tomorrow, before being signed-off on next Monday.
It comes as would-be holiday goers from Clare have it should be up to each individual to act responsibly when it comes to air travel.
The government is at pains to point out that their advice against non-essential travel still applies.
What’s less clear is what happens next Thursday, when a list of green countries is to be published, with places we could fly to and not have to quarantine for 2 weeks when we get back.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says while they might publish it, it may not be activated.
The National Public Health Emergency Team’s very concerned the return of international travel could lead to more Covid-19 cases being re-imported.
Last month, 31 cases were travel-related.
Professor Luke O’Neill from Trinity’s School of Immunology says we need to get ready for spikes.
But a number of would-be holiday goers here have already cancelled their holiday plans.
Noel from East Clare had flights booked for him and his family to go to Spain, but have now decided not to travel, even though they weren’t due to fly until September.
They’ve decided it’s just not worth the risk.
Rhoda from Ennis, meanwhile, planned to travel with a group of friends to a villa in Lanzarote in September and says she too will cancel.
And even though a government decision to cancel flights could see her, and others like her, save the cost of their holidays, she feels the responsibility should instead lie with individuals to act responsibly.
