Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 27°CSunday 24°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusDerry CityHealthNewsTRAVEL

Ministers urged to relax North’s travel restrictions

written by cassoscoop May 8, 2021
ShareTweet

Safety measures in place at City of Derry Airport

STORMONT ministers have been urged to change guidance for travel after restrictions were relaxed in England.

Twelve international destinations are on a green travel list for people in England, meaning anyone returning will not need to quarantine from Monday, May 17.

Belfast International Airport’s managing director Graham Keddie said as a first step, leisure travel should be allowed in the UK and Ireland.

The current guidance says people should only travel for essential reasons.

Those include work. accessing education or health services and fulfilling caring responsibilities.

Mr Keddie said the “incredible success” of the vaccination program meant the time was right to look at travel within Britain and Ireland, known as the Common Travel Area (CTA).

That has been echoed by the two main Irish Sea ferry operators, Irish Ferries and Stena Line.

Currently people arriving into Republic from England, Scotland or Wales must show evidence of a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.

They must also comply with mandatory quarantine requirements for two weeks or until they get written confirmation of a negative PCR test result taken no fewer than five days after their arrival.

The UK government does not have similar testing or quarantine requirements for people travelling from anywhere on the island of Ireland to Britain.

People can also travel across the Irish border without testing or quarantine.

In their statement the ferry companies said: “With virus levels now low in Ireland and the UK, and vaccination programmes progressing in both countries, Irish Ferries and Stena Line are calling on ministers and industry stakeholders to urgently look at restoring the long-standing CTA agreement for Irish and UK citizens, and permit unrestricted travel between Britain and the island of Ireland.”

An Executive Office spokesperson said it would “make appropriate decisions for Northern Ireland”.

Last week the Department of Health here said while the international traffic light system and May 17 date “apply to England only”, it was “broadly supportive” of the Global Travel Taskforce recommendations which are guiding the government’s approach.

It said the department was “working with colleagues across the four nations to seek alignment where possible to support a return to international travel”.

The full list of 12 countries and territories people in England can travel to without having to quarantine upon return are:

Portugal

Israel

Singapore

Australia

New Zealand

Brunei

Iceland

Gibraltar

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island

Turkey, the Maldives and Nepal will be added to England’s red list of countries from 4 am on Wednesday, May 12, meaning travellers from those destinations will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days on their return.

Ministers urged to relax North’s travel restrictions was last modified: May 8th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTcity of derry airportEXECUTIVE OFFICEIsraelManaging Director Graham KeddieMinisters urged to relax North's travel restrictionsportugalturkey
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

4 hours ago

Man to face Derry court over cannabis...

18 hours ago

Man arrested in Derry after 120 cannabis...

1 day ago

Derry Labour Market Partnership celebrate success of...

1 day ago

Savour the best of the North West...

1 day ago

Bin collections and Recycling Centres operate as...

1 day ago

Finance Minister visits sites of Derry Strabane...

1 day ago

Durkan: We need to get serious about...

2 days ago

Police appeal over children playing in derelict...

2 days ago

Historic US flag stolen from Derry college

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy