Will the quarantine in Ireland really be lifted on July 9 as mentioned by Leo Varadkar, then Prime Minister of Ireland? This question is becoming increasingly controversial and is reportedly dividing the country. While the tourism sector is facing significant losses and COVID-19 seems fairly well controlled, the government is still playing for time and continues to deliberate… creating unprecedented tensions between quarantine supporters and opponents.

Ireland Fears a Second Wave from Foreign Travelers

Uncertainty Remains… Between Tourism and Precautionary Principles

This is the billion-dollar question. Will Ireland restart tourism within its borders? For several weeks, there has been talk of lifting the quarantine as of July 9, thereby encouraging non-essential travel to the country.

In this context, the Prime Minister mentioned a “green list” of countries that could eventually travel to Ireland without quarantine. This list has not yet been revealed, sparking curiosity and interest among travelers.

This prospect was seen as a real relief for tourists and major players in Irish tourism.

However, while the government remains silent, many doctors and specialists across the country are voicing their concerns. For them, reintroducing travelers to Ireland could trigger a second wave that would set the country back by up to three months—a risk they find unacceptable.

Added to this is the question of Irish residents’ own holidays: many scientists recommend avoiding travel within Europe this summer, believing that intra-European trips could potentially reignite the COVID-19 crisis.

These statements have angered travelers, airlines, and other tourism stakeholders. They all urge the government to reopen without delay and to rely on the effectiveness of masks and barrier gestures.

The wait is therefore endless: the Irish scientific advisory group is reportedly weighing the pros and cons to finally reach a decision…