As the more dominant the Omicron variant of the virus has become, paradoxically the more redundant restrictions on the travel sector to halt its spread have looked.

Now that the variant is everywhere it’s pointless trying to keep it out at borders with demand-destroying PCR tests for inbound travellers.

The scrapping of Ireland’s Omicron travel rules from today (Thursday) will be a boon for companies such as Ryanair and Irish Continental Group (ICG), the owner of Irish Ferries.

This was reflected in share prices on Wednesday – Ryanair was up 1 per cent, after a jump of more than 5 per cent on Tuesday as soon as markets opened, as investors anticipated a relaxation of travel rules here and also in the UK.

Also on Wednesday, ICG’s shares rose more than 1.8 per cent in Dublin.

More from The Irish Times story.