I went from Johannesburg to Co Tyrone... and didn’t have to wear a mask

On Monday 20 July my wife and I landed at Dublin International Airport after flying from Amsterdam.
By Sean Sheridan
Published 29th Jul 2020, 08:33 BST
This letter-writer’s journey began in Durban, South Africa (the flag of which is pictured above) , then Johannesburg, then Holland, then Dublin – and finally OmaghThis letter-writer’s journey began in Durban, South Africa (the flag of which is pictured above) , then Johannesburg, then Holland, then Dublin – and finally Omagh
This letter-writer’s journey began in Durban, South Africa (the flag of which is pictured above) , then Johannesburg, then Holland, then Dublin – and finally Omagh

Having completed the statutory arrivals form, we proceeded by car to Co Tyrone in Northern Ireland where we live.

The previous day we flew from Durban in South Africa to Johannesburg, taking a taxi to the Dutch Embassy in Pretoria, who kindly arranged for seats on one of the last repatriation flights for EU citizens out of South Africa – where there is an international ban on all flights – and then by coach to Johannesburg Airport for the flight to Holland.

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In all, we had travelled though numerous provinces in South Africa (particularly Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal) where Covid-19 is on the increase and malaria is rife.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

We travelled on public transport and flew on three packed flights. There was a very distinct likelihood of us being exposed to Covid-19 and indeed other diseases.

Nonetheless, there was no requirement nor instructions for us to self-isolate when we passed through Dublin Airport; nor was it compulsory to wear masks in the airport; nor wear them at a services station in Co Monaghan when we stopped for petrol and refreshments.

In South Africa it is mandatory to wear a mask at all times when in public or face the possibility of arrest.

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In Ireland, it seems travellers can fly in from a country such as South Africa where the infection is spreading at an alarming rate and no checks, no masks and just no common sense providing that your destination is Northern Ireland.

We are now self-isolating for two weeks.

Sean Sheridan, Omagh

Related topics:Northern IrelandSouth AfricaAmsterdamCovid-19