Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
310. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an exemption will be made to the requirement for passengers to self-isolate for a passenger that has recently tested negative for Covid-19 by the public health authorities in Germany and the purpose of the trip is to see their children for a few days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9856/20]
View answerThe public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.
Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie.
In the absence of a test that definitively shows that a passenger arriving from overseas neither has nor is incubating the virus, the public health advice for passengers is to self-isolate during the 14 days – the duration of possible incubation - after arrival into the State.
By contrast, since 28 May, it is 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 including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14-day self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas. Careful consideration is being given to exemptions to any mandatory regime of quarantine. Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.
