We’ll have to work with the North on Covid travel arrangements
A CROSS-BORDER approach to improving the monitoring of international visitors who are quarantining is moving forward, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said yesterday.
Harmonising travel regimes across the UK and Ireland will be ‘challenging’ but the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic means politicians also have to act quickly, Mr Martin said.
He hosted a ‘constructive and warm’ North South Ministerial Council meeting at Dublin Castle yesterday with Stormont first minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill.
Mr Martin said: ‘This is a vicious virus, it spreads like wildfire in certain settings. That is not just a phenomenon on the island of Ireland but throughout the world.’
People arriving at Dublin Airport can cross the border into the North despite impediments to how visitors from Covid-19 high-risk countries are monitored for self-isolation compliance once they do so.
Stormont health minister Robin Swann held talks yesterday afternoon with his opposite number here, Stephen Donnelly.
Mr Swann has raised major flaws surrounding enforcement and monitoring of quarantine after international passengers arrive at Dublin Airport and then cross the border into the North.
Mr Martin, who was also joined by senior Cabinet members including Justice Minister Helen McEntee, added: ‘There are different jurisdictions with different chief medical officers who come forward with maybe nuanced advice. These are realities but both chief medical officers will be engaging on these issues.
‘It is moving because we have seen what is happening in France, Germany and Spain.
‘These numbers are moving on very significantly at a rapid pace.’
At present, visitors from Britain can travel through the North and across the open land border into the Republic without quarantining. However, visitors from Britain and other countries not on a green list of low Covid risk are required to quarantine for two weeks on entering the Republic directly.
A meeting of administrations in the UK and Ireland to discuss travel restrictions has been sought. The North and the Republic have driven down the rate of transmission of the virus in recent months.
Mr Martin added: ‘Relatively speaking, north and south are managing this relatively well so far but it will take vigilance.’
Ms Foster, meanwhile, referenced recent outbreaks in England. She said: ‘In relation to international travel, there is a need for a discussion on the location of international travellers as they come through Dublin so as there is good sharing of information.’
She said the meeting was ‘worthwhile and productive’.
Ms O’Neill said members of eight parties in both administrations had met yesterday to discuss the all-island response to the pandemic and other issues.
She added: ‘Our co-operation is more important than ever as we continue to respond to the biggest health emergency we have ever faced.’
Mr Martin added: ‘It was a warm meeting. It was a meeting in which a wide array of views were expressed. North-south co-operation is a key priority for our Government. It was extensive and constructive and we had a particularly good conversation about Covid-19.’
‘Worthwhile and productive’