TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has said he has concerns about travellers from the UK entering Ireland after the Government relaxed its overseas travel rules today.
People coming into Northern Ireland, Wales and England from more than 50 countries no longer need to self-isolate upon arrival; while you can enter Scotland from 39 countries without having to quarantine.
However, arrivals in Ireland – except for those coming in from Northern Ireland – are still required to self-isolate for two weeks. This rule will remain in place until at least July 20.
Martin, who became taoiseach last month, told BBC Northern Ireland’s Sunday Politics that travel is a “problematic” issue.
READ MORE: UK travellers have 'greatest risk' of bringing coronavirus to Northern Ireland
He said: "We have issues with the UK, in terms of Leicester where it closed down recently.
"It's not just the UK; it's international travel in general. Our current advice is against international travel off the island of Ireland because we believe it's problematic and our public health people are saying that to us."
His comments come as authorities in the Republic of Ireland said that 15 of 23 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were related directly or indirectly to travel.
Health bosses there say officials have seen an increase in the number of reported cases over the last few weeks.
Earlier this week, Stormont’s health minister stressed that travellers from the rest of the UK pose the “greatest risk” of bringing coronavirus into Northern Ireland.
He said the advice came from Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.
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