TOURISTS FROM the United States may be able to visit Ireland this summer should an EU-wide scheme get the go-ahead.
According to reports from The New York Times, the European Union is considering allowing fully vaccinated US tourists visit the 27 EU states this summer, with Ursula Von Der Leyen reportedly praising America's "huge success" at the vaccination programme.
"The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” President of the European Commission Ms Von Der Leyen said, according to The New York Times.
“This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union."
The United States use Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer to vaccinate their citizens, all jabs which have been approved for use in the EU, and "the situation is improving in the United States" as it appears to be in the EU, Ms Von Der Leyen told the outlet.
This could result in travel restrictions being lifted both for countries within the EU and further afield, and while the EU is discussing vaccine passports to allow easier travel, the United States government has declined to issue vaccine passports due to privacy concerns.
But while the EU is expected to recommend the easing of travel restrictions for fully vaccinated US tourists, member states will retain the option of keeping harsher restrictions, such as quarantine measures for those from 'high risk' countries.
In Ireland, mandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced for passengers from dozens of countries including the United States, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin admitted this week that 'outdoors' is the theme of the summer, with no return to indoor dining or drinking in sight.
It is unclear whether Ireland will choose to welcome fully vaccinated US tourists under the scheme being considered by the bloc.
