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The government is considering two days of restrictions on air and ferry travel from Britain for fear that a new strain of Covid-19 will spread to Ireland.
The two days will be used to examine the impact of the new virus strain and then the restrictions will be re-evaluated.
Cargo and some essential workers will still be able to travel to and from the UK.
An announcement on travel restrictions is expected this afternoon. Officials are examining legal issues about the travel ban. The exact timing of the restrictions is still being discussed, but it is believed that they will be implemented very soon.
A senior government source said they believe the new strain of the virus may already be in the Republic of Ireland and said cases have been confirmed in the north.
It comes as Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the government will issue advice on travel to and from Britain. Donnelly also said that “very strong advice” will also be issued for traveling to Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has banned travel in and out of the southeast of the country and introduced lockdown measures for the Christmas period.
Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy have banned British travelers from flying to their airports for fear that the new strain of coronavirus will spread among citizens. Scotland has also prevented people from traveling to and from England.
Speaking on The Week on RTÉ Radio One, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that a detailed government announcement on travel to the UK will be made later this afternoon.
“I hope the Irish government will make an announcement later today on travel restrictions.
“We are concerned about [the new coronavirus variant]”Mr. Donnelly said.
“We are very concerned about it and today we will make an announcement about possible travel restrictions.”
Public health officials are currently in a meeting considering new travel restrictions and Minister Donnelly said he has been speaking with CMO Dr. Tony Holohan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Transportation Minister Eamon Ryan.
He said “very strong advice” is likely to be issued regarding travel to the UK and Northern Ireland, but officials are not considering sealing the border “physically”.
Online editors
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