No travel ban from Britain: Derry & Strabane Council calls for NI rethink

The Council, which operates City of Derry Airport, held a special confidential meeting on Tuesday of this week to discuss the decision by the NI Executive not to ban flights.

It comes after the Executive decided not to ban flights from Britain in line with around 50 other countries across the world who had done so after the recent discovery of a more virulent new strain of COVID-19. The Republic of Ireland was among those to impose the ban and Sinn Féin and the SDLP had been among those arguing for a similar measure north of the border but a majority voted against it.

In light of this, Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council Brian Tierney convened the special meeting to discuss a way forward.

A spokesperson for the Council said following a Special Full council meeting that was held virtually, “elected members voted in favour of Council writing to the NI Executive asking that they reconsider the decision not to close NI Airports and to share with Council the medical advice”.

“They asked that Council officers bring forward a report on the implications on City of Derry Airport not operating for people other than essential workers,” the spokesperson said, adding:

“It was also agreed at the meeting that Council urge the NI executive to liaise with other Government bodies across Britain and Ireland to ensure appropriate COVID checks at all UK airports, on flights in and out.​”