THERE have been calls for the governments in Britain and Ireland to work closely over Christmas in a bid to tackle coronavirus travel restrictions.

At a meeting of the British-Irish council, which involves the governments in Dublin and London as well as the devolved administrations, the members committed to further conversations on travel restrictions in the future.

A communique released after the summit – which was hosted by Scotland – said members had discussed Covid-19 and “the vision, priorities and opportunities to drive economic recovery”, as well as “areas of coherence across member administrations”.

At a joint press conference afterwards, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “We agreed to continue close co-operation across the islands and in particular to look at issues around travel within the common travel area, to ensure that when, hopefully in the not too distance future, we emerge from a second wave of Covid, then we are all collectively taking care not to reseed the virus.”

Asked later what that could mean in practice, the First Minister said: “We didn’t go into the detail of what exactly that might look like but there is a recognition that a key part of what all countries have to do to stop this virus spreading is to limit travel and to mitigate where there is travel opportunities for the virus to spread.

“Clearly those discussions will always be both particularly important but also particularly difficult and sensitive when it’s your closest neighbours.”

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said these restrictions could be vital in keeping infection rates down.

She said: “The virus doesn’t stop because it’s moving from one jurisdiction to another, it moves very freely across this island.

“And I think the issue of travel is crucially important as we move forward.”

She said the different approaches “across the islands” were “really unhelpful”.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster said the summit had agreed the virus is “going to be with us for some considerable time”.

She said: “We have to move through this in a way where we bring everybody with us and protect the National Health Service, I think that’s imperative.”

The council meeting was the first time the body has met virtually after the 34th summit was postponed in June due to the pandemic.

Leaders from the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey also took part, with all administrations providing an update on the latest political developments.

The council last met in full in November 2019, when political efforts were focused on Brexit and restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

The leaders were also asked about their views on the US election.

Sturgeon said the world “desperately needs” American leadership on issues like coronavirus and climate change, saying: “I’m not sure anybody would be greatly surprised to hear my preference for how the final votes will fall.”

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We desperately need the United States to show global leadership on the climate emergency, in relation to dealing with the virus, and matters of inequality and of trade and stability.”

Foster said: “It’s very important we don’t interfere with other people’s democratic wishes. We look forward to the outcome of the American presidential election.

Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin said Ireland had been involved in the election “on both sides of the aisle”.

“Suffice to say Ireland and the United States have a very strong and enduring partnership and relationship which we value.”