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Symbolic picture Canary Islands: A number of Irish tourists are currently flying to Spain under the pretext of a doctor's appointment
Photo: Andrés Gutiérrez / dpa
While many people are currently giving up the last hope of a vacation this year, according to media reports, thousands of Irish are happily flying into the sun - despite the travel ban due to Corona.
How it works?
A loophole in the law makes it possible.
In Ireland, travel is currently only allowed if it is necessary for health reasons.
This rule is actually intended for medical emergencies, but is now apparently being brazenly exploited.
Numerous people have booked dental appointments in Spain, for example, reported the »Politico« portal.
A dental assistant on the Canary Island of Tenerife told RTÉ Radio that her practice receives five to seven appointment requests a day from Irish people, often young couples.
Usually the patients in her practice are elderly European travelers, she said.
The current wave of bookings is different - and many do not keep their appointment.
“Since they don't show up, we've figured out they're just an excuse to go on vacation.
You take appointments away from people who need them and are in pain, ”she said.
As »Politico« reported, several practices in the Canary Islands are now rejecting Irish patients or demanding advance payment.
Other destinations for the dentist travelers included Barcelona, Turkey and Morocco.
The state can do little
The hands of the Irish police are tied.
Hundreds of people have already been fined 500 euros on suspicion of unnecessary travel.
Nevertheless, the police cannot prevent those affected from leaving the country as long as they can show confirmation of appointments.
The authorities are now planning to increase the fines significantly to 2000 euros in order to deter people more.
In a television interview, police chief Drew Harris also warned travelers that they could face further investigations and criminal proceedings if they suspected an unnecessary trip abroad.
Unlike the fines, this has resulted in some not starting the trip, Harris said.
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zob / dpa