Ireland's health minister opposed to cross-border travel ban

By Q Radio News

Ireland's health minister says he does not support a cross border travel ban - as restrictions preventing non-essential journeys between counties are lifted in the Republic.

Last week Robin Swann wrote to his Irish counterpart calling for a halt in travel between both jurisdictions - insisting it should be done by enforcement if necessary.

The letter from Mr Swann was written after recent surges in infection numbers in Donegal and across the border in the Derry City and Strabane council area.

Ireland's health minister says he does not support a cross border travel ban - as restrictions preventing non-essential journeys between counties are lifted in the Republic.https://t.co/RiGJUxFjMj

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But Stephen Donnelly said the spikes in Donegal were largely confined to two specific electoral areas and he said the infection rates were now on a downward trajectory again.

(Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he does not back a cross-border travel ban despite spiralling cases of Covid-19 in Strabane.)

From Monday, a lockdown restriction preventing non-essential travel between counties will lift in the Irish Republic.

"We have an open border, a very open border on the island", Mr Donnelly told RTE Radio One.

"I don’t want to see that change, the Irish Government does not want to see that change. I believe that the island is doing very well, both north and south, at the moment and actually Donegal is doing quite well."

Mr Donnelly said a formal response to Mr Swann was still being formulated by his officials. He added that he would also be speaking with his northern counterpart next week about the issue.

"It’s a conversation we’ll have at government and obviously I’ll discuss it directly with Minister Swan", he said.

"My own view right now is that the epidemiological situation wouldn’t warrant that, we are opening up to inter-county travel, we are not changing that tomorrow certainly."

In last Wednesday’s letter to Mr Donnelly, seen by the PA news agency, Mr Swann warned of a fresh increase of community transmission of Covid-19.

He said that both jurisdictions should do everything possible to prevent non-essential cross-border travel.

The letter said: "I wish to place on record my concern at the potential for cross-border interactions to fuel a fresh increase in community transmission and Covid-19 cases in respective jurisdictions.

"Our two jurisdictions are at different junctures, in terms of number of cases, the current trajectory of the epidemic, vaccination progress and Covid-19 restrictions.

"However, that should not hamper continued co-operation in key areas.

"In particular, I believe we should be doing all we can to prevent non-essential cross-border travel at this time.

"This will require clear messaging, backed up by enforcement if required."

(Robin Swann is urging his Irish counterpart to help stop cross-border spread of the virus.)