While the north’s Covid vaccination programme has rightly been hailed as a success, medical experts have warned we still have a long way to go before the pandemic ends.
Chief medical officers on both sides of the border issued a joint warning over the weekend about the highly-infectious Delta variant of coronavirus.
Sir Michael McBride and Dr Tony Holohan warned people travelling across Ireland to be aware of infection rates in particular areas and “avoid activities which could place them or their families at risk”.
Although cross-border travel is a daily feature of life on this island, warnings about the Delta variant are particularly important during the holiday season.
With foreign travel out of the question for many people, families are choosing to holiday in Ireland.
In some cases, these holidays are more of a family reunion.
The Republic had some of the strictest lockdown measures in the European Union and, for many months, loved ones have been unable to cross the border to meet.
The welcome loosening of restrictions has allowed families to reunite.
Yet there can be no room for complacency.
The most recent figures show that coronavirus cases remain highest in border areas including Derry and Newry.
In the Republic, Donegal has seen a rise in cases, although Dublin remains worst-affected by the disease.
The relaxation of restrictions has allowed pubs and restaurants to reopen - to the relief of the hospitality industry.
But greater socialising also allows Covid to spread more easily.
The north’s Public Health Agency has already said cases of the Delta variant are rising amongst those aged between 18 and 40 - the age group most likely to socialise.
Delta variant clusters have already been identified in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, and Omagh, Co Tyrone, with more clusters expected to follow.
As children look forward to the school summer break and families plan holidays and day-trips, it is vital we do not let down our guard.
But it is also essential that Stormont continues to lead. Instability within the DUP, and the likelihood of a second new first minister within just a few weeks, cannot be allowed to hamper the progress the north has made.
The public has undergone huge sacrifices in order to keep their neighbours safe. We have come too far now to allow those sacrifices to have been made in vain. Vigilance is still needed as we make the final push against Covid.
