The emergence of a new Covid-19 strain in southern England has prompted Ireland to suspend all transport links to Great Britain. As a result, all flights and ferries connecting Ireland and England are banned for a minimum period of 48 hours. Similar measures have also been taken by other countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Morocco.
Ireland Suspends Connections from Midnight, But Not to Northern Ireland
Active Research Underway on This New Strain
The new restrictions could extend beyond the initial 48 hours. For Ireland, the priority is to monitor the situation closely and learn more about this virus mutation before reopening air and sea routes to England.
It’s important to recall that this new strain is reportedly up to 70% more contagious and has already triggered a surge in cases and hospitalizations in England. According to the UK government, this mutation has made the epidemic completely uncontrollable.
This alarming situation has led European countries to take immediate preventive actions.
Speaking on RTE’s This Week program, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly described the emergence of the new strain as “very concerning.”
He added that the government is taking the threat to Ireland “very seriously.”
I spoke with the Taoiseach, Minister Ryan, and the Chief Medical Officer over the weekend. We are reviewing the situation,” he said. “We know other countries have implemented travel restrictions.
Our main priority is to protect lives and health. We must do everything necessary to keep hospitals open, safeguard education, and protect jobs.
It should be noted that this travel ban does not apply between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Moreover, Northern Ireland does not plan to restrict its connections to England.
We are certainly not considering physically sealing the border,” he stated. “What we might do is issue strong travel advice for both north and south.
The government is therefore relying on awareness and cooperation between the two territories, while ruling out isolating Northern Ireland until more is understood about this new mutation.
Only time will tell how the situation evolves and what further actions will be necessary. For now, England is effectively quarantined, isolated, while the Brexit issue also remains in the background.
