Indian Variant “Scariant” Baseless When NI Border Open

Ryanair, Ireland’s largest airline, today (28^th May) condemned the Government’s inaction on lifting CTA restrictions for UK passengers arriving in Ireland by ferry and plane on the bogus grounds of concerns over the Indian variant. The Indian variant is as prevalent in Northern Ireland as it is in the UK, yet the Northern Ireland border remains wide open. This Indian “scariant” is a bogus excuse when all the evidence confirms that the Covid vaccines are effective against the Indian variant/scariant.

Ryanair condemned Transport Minister Eamonn Ryan’s false claim that the Government is following “scientific advice”. There is no scientific advice that allows UK citizens unrestricted access to Ireland across the Northern Ireland border, yet treats exactly the same UK citizens differently (maintaining a 14-day quarantine) if these UK citizens travel to Ireland by ferry or plane.

Ryanair calls again for all travel restrictions within the UK CTA to be lifted on Tues 1^st June since there is no medical or scientific basis for quarantining UK visitors, while at the same time allowing them to freely travel across the Northern Ireland border. The Government cannot hide behind its bogus science or false claims about the Indian “scariant”.

A Ryanair Spokesperson said:

“Today’s announcement shows that Minister Ryan has yet again mismanaged the transport situation. Minister Ryan should now explain what “science” or “medical advice” allows UK citizens to drive across the Northern Ireland border with no restrictions, yet if they travel to Ireland by ferry or plane, they have to quarantine for 14 days. This is yet another example of Minister Ryan’s incompetence and failure in the management of transport, and the safe reopening of Ireland, when all of our vaccines are successful against the Indian scariant.”