Zero Covid Ireland Possibilities for Northern Ireland

Setting up a border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is really difficult. The length of the border and number of crossings is huge. 23,000 to 30,000 people commute across the Irish border to work.

But if a border on the island is not possible there are alternatives.

1. Quarantine for all people coming into the island.

2. Quarantine for all people coming onto the island from outside the UK. Scotland seem to be moving toward this option.

3. People coming into NI have to be vaccinated. The UK is vaccinating very fast and by the time this lockdown ends they could have enough people vaccinated that this sort of restriction becomes possible. Vaccination is not as effective as 14 days of quarantine. But even that is not 100% effective. 

Zero covid does not mean stopping every case it just means keeping levels low enough that outbreaks can be shut down quickly. These options might not be as effective as full quarantine but they could be effective enough. And at that time NI might have enough vaccinated that outbreaks are easier to control.