Uncertainty around safety, science and quarantine rules keeping travel up in the air
IT’S been a tough journey, but as the coronavirus may be “virtually eliminated” in the Republic, will the biggest risk of a new wave of infection come from airline passengers travelling here?
The debate about making a two-week quarantine mandatory for these passengers is set to intensify.
And what is the advice for people in this country tempted to take a holiday abroad?
Self-quarantine
From today it will be mandatory for airline passengers landing here to fill out a locator form, giving contact and address details. They will be strongly advised to self-quarantine for two weeks.
This would cover the incubation period for the virus and reduce the risk of them passing it on.
They will find their own transport from the airport and accommodation.
Penalties of up to €2,500 can be imposed for refusing to fill out the form.
Although they will be requested to self-quarantine, it is not a legal requirement.
Expert view
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has written to Health Minister Simon Harris recommending that 14 days of quarantine on arrival here should be mandatory for passengers.
It was also suggested they could be accommodated in a designated facility. Mr Harris said it was tricky legally.
In contrast, Italy has a law that means anyone who breaches quarantine after arrival can face a fine of up to €3,000.
If they have tested positive for Covid-19 and fail to quarantine, they face a prison sentence of between one and five years. This is expected to be lifted on June 3.
Until May 15, anyone entering Germany was subject to 14 days’ home quarantine, but arrivals from the EU and UK are now exempt.
Nphet said it was concerned that as the number of domestic cases here declines, and we move towards easing lockdown measures, that the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases.
People with the virus returning from Italy is how it first got into the Republic.
Looking abroad
The experience of countries like China shows how when restrictions are lifted, inward airline travel is a big threat.
Testing and tracing along with mandatory quarantine are also part of the protection.
Airlines’ view
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said countries in Europe are now moving away from self-quarantine rules.
He also suggested the system proposed here, where a passenger comes off a plane and can take public transport, makes it ineffective.
His airline will be travelling to Europe again from July and he said that wearing face masks provides sufficient protection for air passengers.
Dramatic change
New guidelines issued by the EU’s air safety body said anyone flying will have to follow a number of rules to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.
They include passengers having to wear masks for the duration of their journey, saying goodbye outside the terminal, and interview-booth assessments of people showing signs of Covid-19.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said in order to reduce the number of people using the on-board toilets, food and drink services should be reduced and there should be no duty-free sales on the flight.
Summer holidays
For now, the advice to the public here is to avoid non-essential air travel, and Dr Tony Holohan yesterday ruled out any change from July 1.
As some European countries ease lockdown measures further, opening up entertainment and leisure facilities, there may be a temptation to take a break abroad from July.
Spain will welcome back visitors from July and end the two-week quarantine policy. Greece may lift its quarantine rule on June 15.
However, it is worth remembering that you may still have to self-quarantine for two weeks after returning. The mandatory locator form will be in effect until June 18.
Safety
Physical distancing, wearing a face mask, and washing your hands does not fully eliminate the risk.
A lengthy flight will put you near strangers for a prolonged period.
There are other factors to take into account such as a person’s age and possible underlying illness.
You may have poor control over your surroundings abroad and find yourself in a hotel where precautions to reduce the spread of the virus are not up to standard.
Much will depend on how the virus affects Europe in the coming months and the experiences of countries which open up to visitors.
Experts say the risk of getting the virus in a confined space like an aeroplane can come down to three elements: the duration, how near you are to an infected person and how infectious they are.