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Report calls for travel restrictions and quarantine rules to be lifted by July 1st

Travel restrictions on foreign travel and the 14-day quarantine for people arriving in the countr...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

12.47 23 Jun 2020


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Report calls for travel restri...

Report calls for travel restrictions and quarantine rules to be lifted by July 1st

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

12.47 23 Jun 2020


Share this article


Travel restrictions on foreign travel and the 14-day quarantine for people arriving in the country should be lifted by July 1st, according to a report sent to the Government.

The interim report from the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery says Ireland is now "significantly behind" other EU member states in lifting border restrictions, despite success in containing the coronavirus.

The taskforce includes representatives of Irish airports and airlines, as well as academics, unions and regulators.

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It was set by the Government two weeks ago to make recommendations on what needs to be done to assist the Irish aviation sector to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

Their report suggests that people being told to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in Ireland makes "non-essential and discretionary travel challenging, and inhibits business related travel, which is critical for the Irish economy."

They suggest that efficient 'test and trace' measures can be used as an alternative to a two-week quarantine.

The taskforce also says measures such as the wage subsidy scheme should continue, as the winter period will be "particularly challenging" for airlines this year.

In their report, the group states: "Consumer demand, including internationally, will need to be stimulated.

"Ireland needs to be seen as open for business and tourism within the context of the new realities which result from COVID-19.

"Since COVID-19 outbreaks could affect an individual’s travel plans, it needs to be clear in advance what assistance, rights and obligations would apply."

Aer Lingus has welcomed the report and called for its recommendations to be immediately implemented.

The company's chief executive Sean Doyle said: “The COVID-19 crisis is having a catastrophic effect on the aviation industry.

"Ireland’s failure to take steps that other European Member States have already taken has exacerbated the crisis in Irish aviation.

"This is having a negative impact upon jobs within the industry and upon the industry’s ability to recover."

It comes as the Government continues to advise against non-essential travel abroad.

Dublin Airport had its busiest day since the beginning of the pandemic on Sunday, with 4,000 passengers passing through.

However, the daily average before the virus hit was 115,000.

Main image: File photo. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

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