Holidaymakers' plans have been pushed back yet again as travel restrictions into Ireland have been extended until July 9.
The move has been branded a “disaster” for people hoping for a bit of Spanish or Italian sun, as countries across Europe begin welcoming foreign holidaymakers.
It also means that Ireland is sending out the message that we are closed for business, one travel expert claimed.
Health Minister Simon Harris today extended the period for the Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form requirement to July 9.
This means that everyone arriving into Ireland - including our own citizens - is required to fill out the form. Those who do not fill it out can face a fine of €2,500 or up to six months in prison.
Passengers remaining in the Republic are required to provide a contact number, in case authorities wish to follow up - but those who say they are travelling on to Northern Ireland do not have to do so.
Meanwhile, public health advice that people arriving into Ireland from abroad should self-isolate for two weeks remains in place.
This means that Irish people who travel abroad cannot return to work for a fortnight following their return home - unless they can work from home.
This latest move puts Ireland completely out of sync with the rest of Europe - and with the aviation industry.
Countries such as Italy and Germany have opened their borders to Irish people and other international visitors, while Spain is set to do so on July 1.
July 1 also marks the day when airlines will resume a large number of their international flights.
The Department of Health said the locator form helps to ensure that Ireland has an adequate contact tracing system in place.
But the move is a “disaster” for Irish holiday-makers hoping to get a bit of sun this summer, according to travel expert Eoghan Corry.
And it is also a major blow for the Irish hospitality industry, hoping to recoup some of its recent losses by welcoming in international visitors this summer.
Mr Corry said: “It’s a disaster because the message goes out to the world that Ireland is closed for business.
“And it’s at a time when people are thinking of booking again.
“But while the rest of Europe opened last Monday, we’re telling people that Ireland is still closed.
“And to try to revive our international tourism inbound, it’s a very bad message.”
Ireland’s biggest inbound markets are the UK, the United States, Germany and France - but Mr Corry warns that people from those countries will not holiday in Ireland and instead opt for countries that do not require the locator form or advise a 14-day quarantine.
And Mr Corry said that with no effective mechanism for enforcement, the Passenger Locator Form becomes an “ineffective” exercise.
He said: “So there’s no real way of saying who’s ticking the last box for Northern Ireland just to avoid the hassle.
“So that turns it into a very extensive and ineffective form-filling exercise.
“And the Irish hospitality industry is the loser in all this.”
