Closing our borders would be ineffective against Covid-19, says Europe's public health chief

Irish people hoping to holiday in destinations such as Spain may have to think again. The European Commission's public health director John Ryan says borders should stay open for essential travel — but he doubts that holidaymakers will be able to travel this summer. Picture: Spanish Embassy Commercial Office

Closing borders at this point in the pandemic is not effective, according to a senior Irish public health official with the European Commission, who also said Ireland benefitted from joining the EU vaccine deal.

John Ryan, director for public health with DG-SANTE — the European Commission's directorate-general for health and food safety — said he doubts Irish people will be able to travel to Greece or Spain this summer, but that it is important to keep borders open for essential travel.