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Medical director Dr. Tony Holohan has poured cold water in hopes that restrictions on air travel can be eased before Christmas.
“International travel is not safe and the movement of people through areas with a high incidence of this disease, particularly in Europe and North America, is not safe,” he told the Oireachtas transportation committee.
Dr. Holohan was answering questions from committee members about the possibility of restrictions on air travel and allowing people to fly home on Christmas.
He suggested that the situation in other European countries with high rates of Covid-19 could get worse at Christmas.
Dr. Holohan explained that advice to the Government of the National Public Health Emergency Team, which he chairs, would be based on infection rates in the Republic and in countries connected to it by international travel.
Rates
He added that it was not possible to predict what they would be in six weeks.
The public health official argued that virus rates would have to be at equally low levels in the Republic and internationally to reduce the risks that, according to him, are linked to air travel.
Airlines Aer Lingus and Ryanair are cutting or suspending flights from regional airports this month, but expect to restart operations in mid-December before Christmas.
However, Dr. Holohan indicated that if current infection trends continue, the current Level 5 lockdown restrictions could be lowered as of December 1.
“We are optimistic that we will be in a position where we can recommend a change to the measures that are in effect at that time,” said Dr. Holohan.
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