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Chris Rea’s song Driving Home For Christmas will take on a particular tone in Ireland this year, as many people will be forced to reluctantly decide that the best option is not to visit their family who live in another county.
Permission to travel to different counties is expected to get the go-ahead and the green light can be given for the holiday period between December 18 and January 3. It is likely to be discouraged and not traveling is the safest option.
Is it safer to travel by car or train? And what do you need to know to protect yourself and others from the virus?
Taking the road
If you travel in your car alone or with your family, the safest thing is.
However, you should think carefully if you are going to bring your friends. Where have they been for the last 14 days? What kind of work do they do? Are they at higher risk? Are they one of those who have been partying? Check with them before you start if they sneeze or cough.
This is not the year to pack the car with people. If someone from outside your home is traveling with you, you must sit in the back seat and wear a mask.
Keep windows open for travel and minimize stops along the way, always wear a mask when outside and sanitize your hands before returning.
Using public transportation
Public transport is a regulated environment and seats are rationed, but it means having to go to the station and queue where there are a lot of people.
The length of your trip is also important. One person could be on a bus or train with many others for several hours, even if the risk is reduced by wearing face masks.
Some trips, for example, from Dublin to Kerry require two trains.
A spokesperson for Iarnrod Éireann said they were awaiting an announcement from the government before deciding whether to install additional trains. The arrangements will be announced shortly thereafter.
He said safeguards include disinfection of carriages, hand sanitizer, cashless ticket options and signs on seats that are off limits.
A Bus Éireann spokeswoman also said they are waiting for guidelines before deciding on additional services.
Two weeks before the trip
If a person is traveling, they must borrow a blocking justification two weeks in advance.
So it means reducing contacts as much as possible and not putting yourself at a higher risk of getting infected, such as attending social gatherings.
This reduces the chance of contracting the virus but does not eliminate it. Do not travel if you have any possible symptoms.
Bag handling
If you are bringing a friend, make sure they handle their own luggage. Bring sanitizer and hand sanitizer.
Thinking of your hosts
You may find yourself in a vulnerable group, so it is important to think about the kinds of risks you face in the house where you are spending Christmas. Do any of the family members have a front-line role?
Are any of them likely to engage in risky socialization? One of the mistakes people make is believing if they are careful that others are too.
Also, take into account the health and circumstances of the people you visit so as not to put them in danger.
Weigh the risk-benefit of the visit. Remember that the virus is circulating regardless of what day it is.
Testing and traveling
Some people visiting another county may be willing to pay for a private PCR test.
Remember that the tests only provide a snapshot of whether a person has a viral load high enough to detect an infection on the day the sample is taken.
It takes several days for the virus to reach levels where a test can detect it.
You could clear everything on Monday and test positive on Tuesday. The incubation period is 2 to 14 days.
If you are visiting a relative, it is important that you follow the basic rules of physical distancing, hand washing, and wearing face masks to reduce the chance of unintentionally causing an infection.
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