Foreign holidays ‘very much out’ this year, says Swann
The Health Minister reckons staycations will be able to go ahead though.
Last updated 24th Mar 2021
The Health Minster has said that international holidays are not looking likely in 2021.
At a Department of Health covid -19 update in Stormont, Robin Swann was asked if he believes foreign travel “is out” for 2021, because of new and emerging variants of coronavirus in other countries.
He replied: “Very much so”.
Mr Swann said ministers across the UK and Ireland were having discussions about drawing up “red lists” related to countries posing the highest Covid risks.
The Prime Minister has said he will outline when global travel might be able to resume on April 5.
Mr Swann said the executive task force was still drawing up plans for hotel quarantining for international arrivals but he stressed there were still no direct international flights coming into the region at the moment.
However, Minister Swann is hopeful that staycations across the Island of Ireland will be possible in 2021.
He said: “It should be possible this year, this calendar year.
“When we can do it, will be for the Executive to decide. As we look to the potential for holidaying across this island, it will depend on vaccine uptake and how we get to the assessment of where it’s safe to travel, where either jurisdiction has travel barriers or travel advice in place as well, as we’re conscious the Republic of Ireland currently does.
“So it will be at the right time, at the right pace.”
Earlier, the Boss of Ryanair said he is expecting summer holidays to go ahead this year, as the Irish Airline announced it is expanding its schedule with 26 new routes from the UK, despite uncertainty on when non-essential travel can legally resume.
Today, no covid related deaths were recorded, and it was the first time in month that there were zero new cases in the Fermanagh and Omagh council district.
However, Mr Swann said the public must remain cautious and vigilant.
"The virus is still out there, looking for ways to spread,'' he said.
He urged people to spend the Easter period "sensibly and respectfully''.
"Remember that indoor mixing is still out of bounds, for very good reason.
"While limited outdoor interactions are permitted, social distancing and common sense remain vital.''
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