An expert with the World Health Organisation has said Irish people should simply “enjoy your country” as hopes of international travel this summer begin to dwindle.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Dr. Margaret Harris said the attitude seen last summer in terms of non-essential travel should not be replicated this year.
When asked about a potential return to normality in Ireland, she said: "If that’s a normality that we understand that we’ve still got this great threat to us, a species, it will work.
“But last year it was more like, ‘Oh well, that’s over, and let’s party.’ Let’s not go in that direction.”
Dr. Harris went on to explain that “there are reasons to travel, there are reasons when you need to see people urgently or be together urgently if a family member is nearing the end of life or some other reasons.
“But this summer… Personally, I would say enjoy your country, enjoy your locale, and enjoy good health.
When probed about any potential for Irish holidaymakers heading abroad this year, she said: “I think of holidays as time off, times of when you rest but you don’t necessarily have to be taking extra risks to enjoy a holiday.”
Meanwhile, An Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to make an announcement on Tuesday around the potential easing of level 5 restrictions.
It’s understood that there will be little change to the order of things as we approach the summer months, however, the 5km limit and small gatherings outdoors will likely be eased.
Looking ahead to the summer months, the European Commission is planning on bringing in 'Digital Green Certificates', to allow for the safe return of the tourism industry within Europe.
These unique documents, featuring individual QR codes, would provide proof of vaccination, negative PCR tests, or recovery from the virus, and would see some international travel resume.
A date for when these 'Digital Green Certificates' will come into use has yet to be confirmed.
