Irish international travel may not be permitted by Christmas

Government concerned about containing spread of new coronavirus variants

Aer Lingus planes at an airport.AP

International travel from Ireland may not be possible by Christmas because of the coronavirus, Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar suggested.

“Maybe it will be the case that international travel is not possible this summer, this Christmas," Mr Varadkar said.

"I don’t want to close off that possibility today but maybe we’ll have to."

This was followed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Micheal Martin saying the "significant number" of Irish people who are travelling abroad for holidays during the pandemic must stop.

“Anybody who travels abroad is breaching level 5 rules, and that's the facts," Mr Martin said.

"They’re in breach of level 5 rules and that carries with it the consequences.”

He said those caught travelling to the airport or port for non-essential reasons would be fined €500 ($604).

On Tuesday, new restrictions were approved to clamp down on non-essential travel in and out of Ireland.

They include criminal sanctions and quarantine for incoming travellers who fail to produce a negative PCR test.

There is also a temporary suspension until March 5 of holiday visas for visitors from South Africa and South America.

All travellers from South Africa and Brazil have to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days.

Quarantine locations would probably be at hotels close to the airport, Mr Varadkar said.

There are also new rules for Irish passengers. Those arriving from other countries will now be required by law to quarantine at home for 14 days.

But these passengers can avoid the 14-day quarantine if they receive a negative PCR test after five days.

There are also new fines for those travelling outside the five-kilometre zone around their home without a valid reason.

The automatic fine of €100 will increase to €500 for those who breach the rule.