July 19 is one of the most important days in the gradual easing of restrictions over the last three months with the return of international travel at Dublin Airport.
The Delta variant that's running amok in the UK will eventually become the dominant strain in Ireland and is estimated to be over 50% more transmissible than the previous variant.
Vaccines are the only way out of this and even then, one vaccine is only around 30% effective against Delta.
Two vaccines of AstraZeneca or Pfizer are over 90% effective at keeping you out of the hospital and preventing serious illness from Covid.
What does this mean for foreign travel? So far, the Government has maintained that July 19 will see the return of non-essential International travel.
Even as they seriously consider delaying the return of indoor dining, there seems to be no appetite to delay the return of international travel.
Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, confirmed yesterday that the Government still plan to go ahead, despite the spread of the Delta variant.
This is due to the fact that the vast majority of people flying in from other EU countries will be vaccinated.
Speaking yesterday, Minister Ryan said: "From July 19, the vast majority of people who are vaccinated coming in or going out will be able to travel unimpeded."
With the introduction of the EU Digital green certificates, airport officials will be able to tell who has been vaccinated and who has recovered from Covid-19.
Click the link to find out how EU digital green certs will work.
It's expected that the overwhelming majority of people flying into Dublin Airport will already have had one or two doses of vaccine so there will be no need to quarantine.
Currently, people flying into Dublin Airport have to provide a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.
Nphet will meet next Wednesday to discuss the plan for the July 5 easing of restrictions.
