Stormont ministers consider support for NI travellers facing quarantine after Spain return

Health minister Robin Swann said the subject was the only item on the agenda at a remote meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive on Monday.

He said the Department for the Economy is engaging with employers to make sure there is flexible support for those in quarantine, and is also talking with travel insurers.

Mr Swann also said the Department of Finance is exploring whether the furlough scheme can be used, while the Executive Office is updating advice on NI Direct.

He appeared before the Assembly following the meeting to answer an urgent oral question from health committee chairman Colm Gildernew on his decision to introduce a 14-day quarantine for those returning from Spain.

Some returning from Spain on Monday criticised the move and expressed concern about the potential impact on their employment.

Mr Swann told MLAs that his decision was supported by the Executive and had been based on detailed scientific information.

“The evidence was considered so strong that delay was not feasible, the risk to the Northern Ireland population was too great to delay another day,” he said.

“I will continue to make decisions based on scientific information to determine which countries may be removed or added to the exemption list, and will move quickly to remove any country when the evidence supports this.

“The health and safety of the people of Northern Ireland is my main priority.”

Travellers continued to fly to and return from Spain via Belfast International Airport on Monday.

Edith Mikutenaite and Aleksanda Sabalina, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, were among those who returned from Barcelona.

They described the news of having to quarantine following a three-night trip as “horrible”.