“All sorts of questions remain” about how the EU travel pass will work for unvaccinated people this summer, according to travel expert Eoghan Corry.

The Government expects to ease restrictions on international travel from July 19th – when Ireland introduces the EU Digital Green Certificate.

The cert will allow people to travel anywhere in the EU – provided they are fully vaccinated, have fully recovered from COVID or undergo a negative COVID test in the 72 hours before travelling.

The COVID immunity period will be set at 180 days, rather than the nine months originally suggested by Government.

Antigen tests are expected to be accepted; however, only if they are administered by a professional.

Dublin Airport on 25-01-2021. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Newstalk reporter Barry Whyte spoke to Dubliners about their summer travel plans and heard from passengers arriving back in Dublin Airport about their experience.

First, he spoke to Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel magazine said non-essential travel will return next month – but countries may still put their own restrictions in place for unvaccinated people.

“All sorts of questions remain about people who haven’t been through the full course of vaccination because restrictions will arise in the destination country as well as on the return,” he said.

“There was a note of caution in the press conference yesterday which suggested the Government will be listening to public health advice.

“My expectation is that, in the first two weeks after reopening July 19th, we will have done our EU duty and will have implemented the Digital COVID Certificate but that it will take a little while before people know what the shape of international travel will be in terms of restrictions.”

A plane flies under a red sky at sunset in Isleworth, London. 25-02-2021.

He said Spain and Portugal remain the most popular destinations for Irish people – but warned that cases in both countries are, “going the wrong direction compared with other EU destinations.”

While Dublin Airport was slightly busier than it has been in recent months, Barry said authorities expect “more and more people to travel” from next month – with around 250,000 passengers a week.

These people in Dublin have mixed views on jetting abroad this year.

“No, I don’t so,” said one. “I think not until maybe last year.

“I think more people have to be vaccinated before I would go abroad. I just don’t think I would have interest at all.”

“I would be gone in the morning,” said another. “I just feel, once you are vaccinated, you can travel and you are not going to be affected, I don’t think.

“In October, we’re hoping to go to Lanzarote but at this moment in time I would be gone in the morning, I’ve absolutely no concerns about flying.”

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