Irish tourists should not fear getting stuck in EU countries in the coming weeks, travel expert Eoghan Corry says.
He was speaking after the Government issued new advice recommending those arriving into Ireland from Britain take antigen tests for five days, amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.
That's in addition to the previously introduced rule that everyone arriving here needs a negative PCR test.
The evolving situation has led to concerns about other possible limits on travel, although the Taoiseach has played down the prospect of more restrictions being introduced pre-Christmas.
Eoghan Corry, editor of Travel Extra, told Newstalk Breakfast it has been two weeks of uncertainty for anyone planning to travel to or from Ireland.
He said: "The latest news is really because Omicron seems to be spreading faster in Britain than it is in South Africa.”
He said the idea behind the new antigen test rule is so people who arrive here are testing continuously, but in a way that's less restrictive than self-isolation rules that had been in place earlier in the pandemic.
While the EU's Digital COVID Cert is still in force, Eoghan said there are some extra measures people need to be aware of if they're travelling abroad.
He said: “Britain is complicated - it’s outside the EU. Switzerland did something funny this week - they required PCR tests from Irish travellers, without telling many people.
“Within the EU, the overnight restrictions do not mean you’re going to get stuck in another country. But we’ve seen Portugal - and now - Ireland requiring testing.
“There is a general move in Europe to start classifying travellers by their vaccine status or health status rather than the country of origin… but we’re a long way off that being accepted by the member states."
He said the COVID cert system had proven hugely successful in restarting travel across the EU.
However, the EU's now considering how long the passes first issued during the summer will last.
Eoghan said there's now a growing acceptance that the certs will expire nine months after initial full vaccination - but that'll be extended for people who've received their booster dose.
