Cabinet is today discussing plans to enter into ‘air bridge’ arrangements with EU countries that have low levels of COVID-19.
The proposal would mean people travelling to and from those countries would not have to quarantine at either end.
It is believed a decision on which countries may be included will be taken by the next government.
Sarah Slattery, from TravelExpert.ie, joined Lunchtime Live to answer questions from listeners considering taking a trip in the coming weeks.
She said some of the conflicting messages on travel are causing confusion for people.
With the Government continuing to advise against all non-essential travel, one of the key questions for a lot of people will be around travel insurance.
Until that advisory is lifted, Sarah says private travel insurance is 'null and void' for anyone who does go on holiday.
She explained: "It won't cover [you] if the Government is advising against travel.
"If you're travelling in Europe, you can get a European Health Insurance card - that will basically give you free medical cover or a reduced rate in a public hospital."
A pedestrian walks through an empty street in Valletta, Malta, 17-03-2020. Image: Jonathan Borg/Xinhua News Agency/PA ImagesSarah said August is looking like lots more travel will resume, with up to 60% of Ryanair's flights operating.
However, some people may change their minds about flying even if the flights are still going ahead.
Sarah said: "If people decide they don't want to go... if the flights are operating, they're not entitled to refunds. It gets very, very messy and complicated."
The Government is expected to open so-called ‘air bridges’ with countries that have the lowest transmission rates of the virus in mid-July.
The plan would mean people travelling to and from those countries would not have to quarantine at either end.
A blue-flagged beach south of Athens, Greece, 31-04-2020. Image: Lefteris Partsalis/XinhuaSarah said it is still unclear what countries may be included.
“The cases in Portugal, overall, I am not sure exactly of numbers, but I do know that in the Algarve the cases are really, really low,” she said.
“Places like Malta and Cyprus have had les than 1,00 cases. Greece is really, really low – I think less than 3,000 cases overall throughout Greece so there are lots of countries that have far few cases than us so any of those would be ideal.
She said countries like Germany that had a lot of cases but controlled it very well could also be an option.
You can listen back the full interview here:
