COVID-19 Updates – week commencing 06/09/21
More updates of developments from the government and various links to interpretation and guidance.
Go to date:
6 September 2021 …
Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance update:
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Tourism Ireland GB Campaign – It was great to see the Tourism Ireland £5M GB Embrace a Giant Spirit campaign finally get launched earlier this week. The campaign will be seen by millions and will reach at least 80% of all adults in GB. The aim of the campaign is to generate demand now and drive bookings for short breaks and holidays in Northern Ireland over the coming months. The extensive campaign will include advertising on major TV channels and on catch-up TV sites; digital outdoor advertising at 500+ locations across GB; ads on popular digital and social channels; a new partnership with The Guardian; promotions with the influential travel trade; as well as a busy programme of publicity. For further details on the campaign and how you can support the campaign with exciting offers go to Tourism Ireland Launch £5M Embrace a Giant Spirit Campaign in GB | by Nita (nitourismalliance.com)
NI Updates
- Removal of EU ID Cards as valid form of identity – as a result of the UK immigration policy, following the UK leaving the EU, the EU ID card will be phased out from 1st October 2022 as a valid form of identification. All EU citizens will require a valid passport for entry into the UK. We are delighted to report, that following our work on this with the Secretary of State and the Minister for the Economy, we received clarification that for those visitors travelling to NI via the RoI, they will be able to enter NI without the need for additional identification.
New guidance has been issued at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travelling-between-the-uk-and-ireland-isle-of-man-guernsey-or-jersey. This makes it very clear that there will be no border control on the Island of Ireland and if you are travelling from the EU to RoI and then travelling to NI, there will be no requirement to show any documents. If you then travel onto GB, a valid passport will be required.
Travelling from Ireland to the UK – If you’re from an EEA country or Switzerland
You will not pass through any immigration control when you enter the UK from Ireland across the land border, so you don’t need any documents to enter the UK on that route. However, you may be asked to show your passport (which should be valid for the whole of your stay) to enter Great Britain when travelling from Ireland if you are encountered by Border Force. From 1 October 2021, you will not be able to use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK, and will only be able to use a valid passport.
If you’re not from an EEA country or Switzerland
You will not pass through any immigration control when you enter the UK from Ireland across the land border, so you don’t need any documents to enter the UK on that route. However, you may be asked by Border Force to show your passport, which should be valid for the whole of your stay, to enter Great Britain.
NOTE: This is only the case for those travelling to NI from RoI via the land border. For those travellers from EEA country or Switzerland who travel direct to Belfast, they will require a valid passport from 1st October 2021 as this will be a border controlled port of entry. According to the figures provided by Tourism Ireland for 2019 – there were 338K visitors from EU to NI with 56% exiting via RoI. We are seeking further clarification from the Home Office on this.
Holiday at Home and Experience/Attraction Schemes – At the Economy Committee meeting last week, an official from Department of the Economy made a comment that these schemes would not be rolled out until the New Year. We have checked with the Department and Tourism NI and work is ongoing on these schemes with the plan still to launch in October 2021. The launch of the schemes require Ministerial sign off which is expected in the next couple of weeks.
Tourism Northern Ireland – the home autumn marketing campaign for NI and RoI will be launched on 4th October.
Vaccination Programme Update – 80% of the adult population in NI are now fully vaccinated with 87.4% having received at least one dose. 40% of 16-17 year olds have now received their first dose.
Republic of Ireland Update
- Start of a ‘New Normal’ – The Irish Government have announced that 22nd October will be the date that all the remaining restrictions will be lifted (apart from face masks and self-isolation) including the requirement to socially distance. There will be no more requirement to wear a mask outdoors, or in indoor private settings, no more limits on the numbers at indoor and outdoor events and activities, and no more restrictions on religious or civil ceremonies and the limit on numbers that can meet in private homes and gardens will be lifted. A certificate of vaccination, immunity or testing will no longer be required to get into restaurants or any other activities or events, with the exception of international travel. The only measures that will remain in place relate to face coverings and self-isolation. Mask-wearing in shops, on public transport and in healthcare settings will still be required and people will still have to self-isolate when they have symptoms of Covid-19.
Tourism Alliance update:
CMA Opens Formal Investigation On PCR Testing
Following on from the open letter to PCR test providers, the CMA is now opening a formal investigation into the activities of companies providing these tests. This follows a further 19 businesses being told to stop advertising misleading prices or risk legal action. This includes Expert Medicals, which is one of the largest providers of PCR travel tests which has not provided tests and results in a timely manner or at all; has failed to respond to customer complaints; and has refused to issue refunds when due
It is important that the issues associated with PCR testing firms are resolved as a matter of urgency as they are eroding trust in overseas travel and holding back the recovery of the international travel sector. This, in turn has implications for businesses in the sector with the end of furlough approaching.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-next-wave-of-action-in-pcr-testing-market
CMOs To Consider Vaccinating 12-15 Year Olds
The Health Ministers in the Home Nations have asked their Chief Medical Officers to advise on the vaccination of 12-15 year olds. The outcome of this could have implications for quarantine requirements for young people travelling abroad.
R Number and Growth Rate
This week’s R Number and growth rate are, respectively, 0.9 to 1.1 and -2% to +2%. This means that the growth of cases is now essentially static and is down on last week.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-r-value-and-growth-rate
