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Confusion over airline passengers isolation rules
By Sean Moriarty
There is still large scale uncertainty regarding the two-isolation ruling for airline passenger arriving in Ireland.
Ryanair is due to start flying to and from Kerry Airport on July 1 and while the airline will operate a reduced service in terms of frequency the move is seen locally as a potential to re-start the flailing tourism industry.
Last week, the Killarney Advertiser reported on how the airline and passengers were seeking clarity on regulations imposed by the Irish and UK governments which states that passengers must self-isolate for two-weeks once they arrive in this country.
Ryanair serves Britain and Germany from Kerry Airport but there are different regulations attached to each country. Passengers arriving from Britain do not need to isolate for two weeks as they are covered by a long-standing common travel agreement between the two countries. It is one of the reasons passengers arriving in Luton or Stansted go through different passport controls if their flight originated in Kerry.
German passengers are free to travel anywhere in continental Europe as they are covered by Schengen travel agreement.
It is the law that every passenger arriving in Ireland must fill out a locator form and are ‘requested’ to self-isolate for 14 days.
Therein lies the confusion.

“In terms of the law, people must fill in the form and state where they are staying or if the move from that location, they must inform the authorities, after that the law states that the cannot travel outside the 5km or 20km restriction, or whatever the case may be in place at the time. But there is nothing to stop a person arriving to Kerry Airport with the correct paperwork and heading to their home in Killarney or wherever, and going where they like, within the 5k or 20k limit, after that. That is what the law says,” a senior Kerry Airport source told the Killarney Advertiser.

Have your say: Are you going to fly this year or not? Email news@killarneyadvertiser.ie with your plans.