Tourists arriving in NI pose ‘increased risk’ from COVID-19 - Department of Health confirm

This confirmation comes following comments by Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill that GB-NI travellers posed the “greatest risk”.

She said NI “can’t become a backdoor for travellers entering into this island”.

The department said that, to date, “very few travel-associated Covid cases” had been identified in NI.

When asked yesterday if she will be asking the executive to impose quarantine on visitors coming from Britain, Ms O’Neill said: “When we look at where is the greatest risk posed, the greatest risk that we have been told is from travellers coming from Britain.

“So the executive has to have a discussion about that issue and make a call on that. But certainly, it is my view that given that’s where the greatest risk comes, then we need to act on that.”

The department was asked about Ms O’Neill’s comments by BBC News NI and whether it was considering the possibility of quarantine between NI and other parts of the UK.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “There is some increased risk of Covid for any travellers coming to NI from any country or region where the virus is more common.

“All new cases of Covid identified in NI are asked about their travel history in the last 14 days, and to date very few travel associated cases have been identified.

“Currently, no more than 1 in 2,300 travellers from England are likely to have Covid, meaning that the possibility of a traveller from England bringing the virus to NI is very low in terms of absolute risk.”

_______________________________________

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you