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The Government has confirmed Ireland will impose a 48-hour travel ban on flights from mainland Britain starting at midnight tonight.<\/p>\nThe Government has confirmed Ireland will impose a 48-hour travel ban on flights from mainland Britain starting at midnight tonight.<\/p>\n
Ferry connections with Britain will be for cargo only with people ordered not to travel unless they are “essential supply chain workers”.<\/p>\n
A statement this evening said: “Arrangements are being put in place to facilitate the repatriation of Irish residents on short trips to Great Britain and planning to return in the coming days, as well as international travelers to Ireland who are transiting through Great Britain.”<\/p>\n
The Government added “close coordination” with the Northern Ireland authorities is planned and the measures will be reviewed during Tuesday\u2019s Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
It follows the decision of a number of European countries to impose bans on flights from the UK over fears the new more-transmissible variant of coronavirus in England could spread.<\/p>\n
In response to the announcement, Aer Lingus is suspending all scheduled flights from Britain, but Ryanair has not cancelled everything.<\/p>\n
Ryanair says it will carry passengers on business, while Aer Lingus will operate some repatriation flights.<\/p>\n
Both are offering to reschedule passengers for free or give full refunds.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, ferry company Stena Line says it needs clarity around the travel ban as hundreds of people due to cross the Irish Sea on overnight ferries.<\/p>\n
They say nearly 200 passengers are due to travel on its 2am sailing from Holyhead to Dublin tonight while 80 would have set off from Fishguard to Rosslare shortly before midnight.<\/p>\n
The company’s spokesperson says they are seeking clarity on “people undertaking emergency travel and the measures for repatriation”.<\/p>\n
Scientists have warned the new variant could be up to 70 per cent more transmissible than the original virus.<\/p>\n
UK prime minister Boris Johnson announced sweeping restrictions in London and the south east of England in a bid to get the disease under control.<\/p>\n
Speaking on The Week on RT\u00c9 Radio One, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the Irish Government would not \u201cseal the border\u201d between Northern Ireland and the Republic but strong advice would be issued.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il TD Jim O\u2019Callaghan also said that the Government will consider further advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) when it meets on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Callaghan criticized the lack of action taken by the UK government: \u201cWe need to recognize that this country is in a much better position than the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at what happened in the UK yesterday, it is very unacceptable that a government would announce on 4pm on a Saturday before Christmas that people can\u2019t travel before 12pm that evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason for that is because decisions were not made earlier enough by the prime minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done a good job in this country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to look at other statistics in terms of numbers, they have gone up but we always knew they were going to go up.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the rate at which cases are rising is of concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to take into account that we are in a good position here but I think that we recognize that household visits seems to be the driver of this,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe statistics from the HSE show the danger is in household visits and I suspect that Government will revisit that in terms of limiting the number of people that can visit households.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Lynn Boylan said: \u201cInstead of a flight ban we need to fix what we haven\u2019t actually done in the pandemic which is monitoring people coming in to the country and having proper contact tracing and testing as opposed to what it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we need to have a system where people are going to restrict their movements and they are followed up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a huge concern about people coming home from Britain over Christmas and if they are carrying that strain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find it more concerning that we\u2019ve had nearly a year now and never actually cracked that nut of tracking the people coming in and leaving the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has also urged people to stay at home and avoid restaurants as cases of coronavirus rise across the country.<\/p>\n
He said people should not meet up and warned against being in crowds.<\/p>\n
It is the latest warning from the chief medical officer who said there is strong reason for \u201cpersistent, ongoing concern\u201d over Ireland\u2019s recent Covid-19 figures.<\/p>\n
He tweeted on Sunday morning: \u201cCases rising quickly. We have low cases and deaths compared to EU\/UK\/US. This is at risk now \u2013 just as vaccines arrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo protect yourself and those you love: Stay home. Don\u2019t meet up. Stay away from restaurants\/pubs. Avoid crowds. Use masks. Follow health advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today the Department of Health confirmed four more people died of the virus, bringing the total death toll to 2,158.<\/p>\n
The Department also reported 764 new cases of the virus.<\/p>\n
Dr Holohan also said it is not too late to change Christmas plans and cut down on the number of contacts.<\/p>\n
The national 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population now stands at 112.2.<\/p>\n
This comes as Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed here on Friday, allowing inter-county travel over Christmas until January 6th and permitting three households to meet indoors.<\/p>\n
But tougher restrictions are set to be imposed before the new year.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin confirmed on Friday that pubs and restaurants will be closed before New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n
He said he would recommend to Cabinet that gastropubs and restaurants now close early.<\/p>\n
Public health bosses have recommended stricter measures to Government, including that pubs and restaurants be closed before the new year and greater restrictions be placed on household visits after Christmas.<\/p>\n
It comes after Nphet warned that cases of Covid-19 are accelerating faster than anticipated after restrictions were eased at the beginning of December.<\/p>\n