The Northern Ireland Executive have released much needed guidance on non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to other parts of the Common Travel Area (CTA)
Stormont had previously advised that people could only travel from Northern Ireland to the CTA for what was deemed as “essential or business reasons”
However. from 24th May people will not be required to self-isolate when they return to Northern Ireland from other parts of the CTA – either the rest of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man.
Also, from 24th May, travellers who have come to Northern Ireland but have completed mandatory quarantine on arrival “at a specified point of entry elsewhere in the CTA” will also not have to self-isolate. This guidance sets out that those exempt from self isolation will be asked to take Covid-19 lateral flow tests pre-departure, as well as on day two and eight post arrival into Northern Ireland.
Peter McMinn, Managing Director of local tour operator Travel Solutions has responded “Whilst any relaxation of travel restrictions should be welcomed, the guidance coming from our Executive only offers scraps to an already beleaguered travel industry. How they intend to police this new guidance escapes me. All this will do is drive travellers to on-line travel providers at the expense of local travel agents who want to do the right thing. Our telephone lines are already red hot this morning from customers who’s list of family and friends in Great Britain has quadrupled overnight. It’s a farce”
