Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary criticizes ‘idiotic’ quarantine restrictions as airline prepares to resume flights



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Ryanair plans to fly again and expects to operate 40% of its flights in early July.

But there is confusion over where passengers would go if they decided it’s safe, as many countries still have coronavirus restrictions, including Spain, which has a two-week quarantine period.

And last night, the Medical Director, Dr. Tony Holohan, warned: “I am not commenting on Ryanair in particular, but obviously our position is that we are discouraging all non-essential travel.

“I don’t imagine that would have changed within that timeline.”

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Ryanair chief “Michael O’Leary is adamant that if security measures are strictly followed, it will be possible to have 40% of his fleet airborne by July 1.

He described the quarantine restrictions as “idiots” and unscientific.

O’Leary told Good Morning Britain: “What is ineffective is such idiotic measures as a 14-day quarantine, which has no scientific basis, when it can exempt the French and the Irish.

“It doesn’t make sense and it has no effect on limiting the spread of Covid-19. The reality is that we have passed the peak of the virus.”

However, Dr. Holohan said he could not see that his advice to the government on air travel changed for July 1.

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He added: “We don’t want to see people coming here right now who shouldn’t be coming here.

“We don’t want to see people from this country leave for non-essential purposes.

“Traveling outside the country obviously implies air travel and social distancing in those types of environments that we believe will be a challenge for people.

“This is a disease that is found at a different point in different parts of the world.

“We don’t want to see the Irish planning to go on vacation abroad and then having to return to the country where we are in a position where we are contemplating additional restrictions that might apply to those people.”

“Airlines can play a role in helping us in that regard. We have had good cooperation from the airlines. “

Restarting Ryanair would mean restoring almost 1,000 flights per day and 90% of regular routes, but with fewer daily services.

Passengers and crew will be required to wear face masks or covers and pass temperature controls before boarding.

There will also be a ban on queuing to go to the bathroom, but “access to the bathroom will be available to individual passengers upon request.”

The carrier will require that all passengers flying in July and August complete a form when they register, indicating how long their visit will last and where they will be staying.

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This information will be provided to EU health agencies to “help them monitor the privacy regulations that require visitors on flights within the EU.”

But it’s unclear whether the public will be willing to fly if popular vacation spots, including Spain, still have strict quarantine measures.

Even the UK plans to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on travelers entering the country from all EU states except Ireland and France.

And British Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the public that vacations abroad are “unlikely” to be possible this summer.

Ryanair chief Eddie Wilson said: “It is time to make Europe fly again so that we can get together with friends and families, allow people to return to work and restart Europe’s tourism industry, which provides so many millions of jobs “

“Ryanair will work closely with authorities to ensure that these flights comply, where possible, with effective measures to limit the spread of Covid-19.”



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