DUBLIN: Government has reversed the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) recommendation that only those who have been fully vaccinated in Ireland should travel abroad.
As per the Government decision, those who have not received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can also travel abroad during the holidays. However, the Government has imposed some restrictions on the foreign trips of those who have not been vaccinated. They must present a Digital COVID certificate and a negative PCR test result before returning to Ireland.
Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan had earlier recommended that people who have not been fully vaccinated, as well as families with children (because children have not got vaccine), should avoid traveling abroad. Dr. Holohan’s advice comes at a time when Ireland has announced that it will begin issuing the EU Digital COVID certificates from July 19.
The public and Irish travel agents were greatly confused as the suggestions of the Government and the NPHET differed. However, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has stated that the Government’s travel policy differs from the CMO’s advice and that non-essential international travel will resume from July 19.
At the same time, the Tánaiste said that the Government had no objections to the CMO’s recommendation and that it was perfectly right when viewed in the context of scientific and healthcare.
He said the Government would have to consider the youth of the country while making such decisions, and it should not be forgotten that they had not been vaccinated.
The Tánaiste urged anyone traveling abroad to adhere to all public health guidelines and restrictions, as well as to present a COVID certificate and a negative PCR test result before returning to Ireland. He also said that if the Delta variant of COVID-19 poses a threat, the restrictions may be re-imposed.
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