Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
493. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the UK Government has recently announced it is making travel from Ireland exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement after travelling by air; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7823/20]
View answerNPHET has considered issues in relation to overseas travel, informed by World Health Organisation and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance, approaches and learning from other countries, and reports of importation of cases in a number of countries following relaxation of restrictions.
As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases. The impact of any imported cases on disease spread would be all the greater in the context of easing of domestic restrictions and the resultant increased movement and contact between people. In addition, a significant increase in the number of cases in Ireland as a result of importation could have an impact on public compliance with public health guidance and restrictions. Ultimately, the progress towards suppression of community transmission which has been achieved and which should allow for greater resumption of social and economic life in Ireland could be endangered.
To date, Ireland has introduced a range of travel related measures including issuing advice against non-essential international travel on 13th March. As of 24th April, the public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days.
From 28th May, it will be a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The information on the form may be used to assist our contact tracing teams.
My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, is also developing proposals to strengthen the 14 days self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas. These proposals will include possible enforcement measures. The issue of imposing mandatory quarantine for a 14 day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.
It is intended that self-isolation arrangements would apply to passengers arriving from overseas, irrespective of the country from which they are travelling. Passengers transiting to another jurisdiction and who will not be residing in the State, including transiting to Northern Ireland, will be exempt. Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.
There is ongoing close engagement at political and official levels between my Department and the authorities in both Northern Ireland and the UK. These close contacts will continue over the coming weeks.
Complimentary measures applying to international travel, such as temperature testing at airports, will remain under consideration but are not envisaged at this time.
