Are people who live in England planning to visit family in Ireland this summer?

[TheYearOfSmallThings]

I was feeling optimistic but Delta variant is making me less so. I'm fully vaccinated but would still have to isolate 5 days, DS(6) is of course not vaccinated.

I'm also not sure how people in Ireland feel about those flying in from London? Is it a dick move?

And if we fly to NI and lure my parents up to holiday with us, would they have to isolate on returning home?

If you read the attached article, the relevant minister says that the current restrictions were out into place to try to delay the delta variant spreading but it has is now dominant, so keeping those restrictions is pointless. This reasoning I think would apply to the emergency brake concept…Delta will be 90% of Covid cases in Europe by august so why would they bother with an emergency brake - that ship has sailed.

I’m minded to go in July before another variant raises its ugly head.

On the topic of children, the EU has an aim of keeping families together and recommends that from 29 July unvaccinated minors accompanying vaccinated parents do not have to quarantine. Whether this applies to third countries, eg Britain, is another question . I am assuming it will be the case

@mydailymailhell

Sorry I meant the EU digital Covid cert….not passport. Ireland hasn’t made an special exemptions for Irish citizens and their families entering the country, like Sweden has for example. Swedish citizens and their families (whether Swedish or not) can enter Sweden just by showing a negative pre arrival test. I actually feel a bit abandoned by my government. I am a citizen who at the moment is not legally allowed to return to my country of nationality.

Of course you are allowed to return to your country. You just have to quarantine on return.

Non essential travel into Ireland has not been permitted since the start of the pandemic. As I don’t have an essential reason to travel into Ireland then I haven’t been legally permitted to do so. The requirement to quarantine is a separate issue

Mom says there’s piles of English cars about home!

Returning as in permanently relocating back to Ireland has been considered essential and permitted at all times. But you are right non essential social visits from abroad have not been allowed.

@mydailymailhell

If you read the attached article, the relevant minister says that the current restrictions were out into place to try to delay the delta variant spreading but it has is now dominant, so keeping those restrictions is pointless. This reasoning I think would apply to the emergency brake concept…Delta will be 90% of Covid cases in Europe by august so why would they bother with an emergency brake - that ship has sailed.

I’m minded to go in July before another variant raises its ugly head.

On the topic of children, the EU has an aim of keeping families together and recommends that from 29 July unvaccinated minors accompanying vaccinated parents do not have to quarantine. Whether this applies to third countries, eg Britain, is another question . I am assuming it will be the case

Where did you get the July 29th date? This is quite close to when I would like to travel - with my unvaccinated minors!

That was a typo - it’s 19th July! I hope the government comes out with some more info soon but if it’s aligning Britain to the EU rules then it should allow non vaccinated accompanying minors not to quarantine . I’ve booked my flights anyway while they are still reasonable

This is quite close to when I would like to travel - with my unvaccinated minors!

Me too - this would solve all my problems.

This can be our getting home support group

@MegCleary

This can be our getting home support group

Definitely, it's been far too long and I am concerned that children have been treated badly enough through the whole pandemic, it would be too much if they had to quarantine while adults can gad about.

I have high hopes (which might be dashed!). The Irish tourist board has been spending money here lately on promoting Ireland to UK visitors. If the EU digital Covid pass is in operation and if you are an Irish citizen there might be an argument about exercising your right of free movement in the EU…

The Irish tourist board has been spending money here lately on promoting Ireland to UK visitors

There will be a massive outcry in Ire if your hopes are realised. Indoor dining hasn’t even opened up in Ire yet.
Last Christmas the Gov opened up and allowed travel. It ended very badly. Let’s hope they learned from their mistake.
Ppl are in shock looking at what is going on in the UK.

People in the uk in at shock what’s going on!

there might be an argument about exercising your right of free movement in the EU…

I was replying more to this.
I understand some people want to visit family but that same family will be the ones left to live with the chaos that UK travel will bring. Please think of that.

I've travelled for an essential reason in May (double vaccinated)and you have to remember that it isn't five days, it is SEVEN once you get the PCR test result . You aren't allowed even to take the dog for a walk in that quarantine period or visit a shop to buy essentials. It is quarantine not restricted movement (last summer it was restricted movement) And the people you stay with are supposed to restrict their movements but not a lot of people abide by that one...(I was in quarantine solo)

I understand there are concerns around what is going on in the UK but the travel would be open only to vaccinated people and their children (I will test my children before and after we travel ). The Delta variant is now dominant in Ireland and the border is open to the North where it is surging. It’s a slightly different scenario to Christmas where no one was vaccinated. I didn’t travel at Christmas but at some point life has to move on? I understand ICU patients and death rates are remaining relatively stable in Ireland as they are in the UK

Also - I don’t think non essential international travel was permitted at Christmas? There was a travel ban from Britain up to 31sr December. The quarantine and test to release was in place for essential travel, but non essential travel was not allowed (I think- I did look at it in detail at the time when we decided not to come home as we didn’t have an essential
Reason). What was loosened up was inter county travel and household numbers mixing.

You didn’t travel at Christmas but do you realise people within Ireland didn’t travel at Christmas either. People living in different counties spent Christmas apart!
Life has to move on is the UK’s mantra. In Ire there is a much more cautious approach. Can’t you holiday in the UK this year? Nobody in Ire is travelling.

I didn't travel at Christmas either. First Christmas in my life outside Ireland.

Yes I understand that. My family in Ireland didn’t see each other. For me it is not about a holiday it is about seeing my elderly parents and my husbands very elderly parents, one of whom probably won’t be around for very long. I have already had a holiday in the UK tho I’d hear and I will probably be at home working the whole time I am in Ireland

Nobody in Ire is travelling

Completely untrue. I know lots of Irish people who have travelled (mostly to Spain or Portugal) and more who fully plan to travel this summer.

Yep, elderly parents for me too. I will be home next month.

I returned home for good 7 weeks ago, nobody asked me why I was entering the country. My British dp flew in two weeks later and nobody questioned him either about the purpose of his visit. There are plenty of UK reg cars about the place here as well as loads of Irish people on staycations. People are more cautious here than in the UK but people are slowly venturing out. Outdoor dining is packed most weekends as are the streets.

The lack of clarity about kids is driving me MAD. Following Ryan’s comments they have to provide clarify on this.

I need a support group for this so I’m in.

Also, tweet the Irish Embassy at @IrelandEmbGB

I understand all the concerns but the difference between now and Christmas is the fact that a lot of people are vaccinated. I wouldn’t consider travelling if the family members we want to see weren’t double vaccinated and we will be hanging out in my parents garden for the majority of the time