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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
William Dunne

Mater Hospital professor says going to Greece is safer than going to Dublin city

An infectious disease expert at one of Ireland's biggest hospitals believes it would be safer to go to Greece than into Dublin city.

Dr Jack Lambert, a professor of medicine at the Mater Hospital, thinks it is safe to go abroad but only to certain countries and if precautions are taken.

He said the Government needs to come up with "practical solutions" and not just "broad strokes" like imposing a ban on all travel.

Dr Lambert noted that he wouldn't go to destinations like Florida due to the recent surge in confirmed coronavirus cases there.

Beach in Greece (stock) (Getty Images)

However, he feels the risk of importing the disease is low if travelling to nations with a low number of active cases.

He told Morning Ireland: "Would I go to Iceland, Slovenia, Greece? Absolutely.

"I'd probably think it's safer to go there than to a city centre in Ireland at this time, because Covid is still circulating in the community in small numbers."

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has advised people to cancel any foreign holidays due to the risk of re-importing the disease.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health (Colin Keegan/Collins)

The Government has proposed bringing in "air bridges" which would allow free movement between certain countries.

However, there is no current ban on travel to any European nations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs still advises against all non-essential trips abroad.

A spokesman said: "The Irish Authorities advise against all non-essential travel overseas until further notice.

"This includes Great Britain but does not apply to Northern Ireland. It also includes all travel by cruise ship."

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