Choose 'Bundoran over Benidorm' says local Senator
Yesterday there were 4,000 arrivals into Dublin airport and Sen Gallagher says the country needs to understand where “all those people are going”.
A local Senator has responded to the Government's advice against all non-essential travel by encouraging people planning holidays to invest in a 'staycation' instead.
“We have come a long way in this Covid battle and we have a huge range of excellent options for home based tourism that need support from us. As one Sunday paper put it – chose Bundoran over Benidorm or the Wild Atlantic Way over the Costa del Sol, and don’t forget all the local venues here in Monaghan and Cavan that need our support to survive until better times,” says Fianna Fail's Robbie Gallagher.
The Government's advice against all non-essential travel is to remain in place until July 20.
As a result he is necessary encouraging people to support and explore local tourism opportunities.
“Our public health officials believe that foreign travel is the number one risk for a second wave of the disease. International travel is not advised and should be avoided. A "Green list" of countries to which people can travel to and from will be published on 20th July. There is no change on travel to and from Northern Ireland. Countries on the so-called 'Green list' would have a disease level similar to Ireland and the list will be reviewed every fortnight,” explained Sen Gallagher.
“Recent reports point to an internationally volatile situation and situations in other countries such as Spain and the UK are informing the Government's view. We have to make sure that that the number of cases here remain low, that community transmission remains low and that the R rate is kept below 1 if we are to ensure that schools can reopen fully at the end of August, and that non-Covid-19 healthcare can be continued,” he added.
Sectoral protocols will be published by the Department of Transport and a list of exemptions will continue to apply to facilitate the transit of essential workers.
The current paper based passenger locator form will be replaced by an electronic system to ensure passenger data is captured directly from airlines and ferries.
The Department of Health will also review testing at points of entry to the country and there will be significantly heightened visibility of public health at border control, and gardaí at airports and ports. This will be supplemented by a comprehensive public communications campaign.
Yesterday there were 4,000 arrivals into Dublin airport and Sen Gallagher says the country needs to understand where “all those people are going”.
“Our health system needs a chance to catch up with non-Covid illnesses, diseases and screening programmes and it is essential where we have capacity in our hospital system. We don't want any spike in Covid cases to undermine this. I know there may be people who would like to see loved ones abroad but public health officials are very worried about the potential for a second surge brought about by an upswing in foreign travel,” he concluded.