Covid-19: Self-isolation guidance on CTA travel scrapped

The NI Executive has agreed to remove its guidance about self-isolating on return to NI when travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA).

The move comes after tourism leaders called for the rules to be clarified.

Advice that took effect on Monday stated people should self-isolate for 10 days when arriving into NI from other parts of the CTA, unless exempt.

Exemptions included visiting family and friends, but not a hotel break or a holiday.

The Common Travel Area is made up of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

On Thursday, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the executive was still encouraging people to use common sense and only travel if they need to.

"We're going to drop the self isolation, so you'll no longer have to self isolate when travelling across these islands," she said.

• What are Northern Ireland's Covid travel rules?

Michelle O'Neill said the executive was still encouraging people only to travel if they need to

Non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to other parts of the CTA was allowed from 24 May.

But industry bodies argued that the regulations needed to be made clearer and the approach to guidance "rethought" due to uncertainty among travellers and the hospitality sector.

It is understood that there will still be mitigations, with people asked to take Covid tests before departure and after arrival.

The move brings Northern Ireland in line with other parts of the UK, where non-essential travel has been permitted for a number of weeks.

Advice warning people not to travel if they have Covid-19 symptoms or not travelling if they have tested positive also remains in place.

Ms O'Neill also confirmed that competitive indoor sport will resume from 31 May.

'Tourism destination'

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said the move on the CTA was a "significant decision" and one that would avoid any confusion that travellers were facing.

She said that while the travel policy remains consistent with other parts of the UK "we will also be able to market Northern Ireland as tourist destination throughout Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland".

"The pandemic has devastated our tourism industry and today's announcement will provide great hope for a successful summer," she said.