Arlene Foster throws NI a summer holiday lifeline after Robin Swann said rule them out

First Minister Foster made the remarks while both she and deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill answered questions from the media at the Hill of The O'Neill, Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre in Dungannon on Thursday evening.

Mrs. Foster's comments came 24 hours after Health Minister Robin Swann told the media that, in his opinion, foreign summer holidays should be ruled out.

"It's too soon to be booking your holiday but it's also too early to rule them out," said Mrs. Foster smiling.

Mrs. Foster also explained that the Northern Ireland Executive will be in a better position to provide clarity around international travel this coming summer with the Global Travel Taskforce delivers its report and recommendations aimed at facilitating a return to international travel as soon as possible while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants of concern.

The DUP leader also confirmed that the Northern Ireland Executive had agreed to adopt a "red list approach" to international travel as soon as flights resume.

Deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, said the Executive intended to keep the issue of foreign travel under regular review.

“This is a fundamental concern for us all as we seek to manage the risks that are arising from the new variants and align with the scientific and medical advice we have agreed the introduction of managed isolation and hotel accommodation on return from red list countries for a period of ten days to be pre-booked before arrival here,” she said.

“This will be kept under review and our arrangements for managed hotel isolation will be flexible to enable a broader approach on international travel to be put in place should the need arise.”

The red list framework is currently in place in England.

People who live in any of the countries included on the red list are banned from entering the United Kingdom.

People who hold British or Irish passports are permitted to return home but they must spend 10 days in self-isolation in a government approved hotel.

The cost of the package for one adult in one hotel room for 10 days, 11 nights, is £1,750.

For every other person over the age of 12 in the same room it is an additional £650 or £325 for children aged five to 12.

Children under five will not have to be paid for, with the government bearing the cost of food and drink for three to five-year-olds.

The costings for the Northern Ireland scheme have not been confirmed.

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