Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 July 2020
302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the number of random Covid-19 tests that will be carried out at airports will be a fixed number or a minimum percentage of passengers; the manner of testing proposed; if passengers will be required to wait onsite for test results; if he has considered a similar protocol for each point of entry to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18545/20]
View answer303. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of random Covid-19 tests that will be carried out at airports daily; if each passenger will be eligible for such tests including passengers from green zone countries; if the tests will be carried out at each airport; if similar tests will be carried out at seaports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
Close consideration has been given by Government to policy in relation to overseas travel, including to additional measures to be put in place at airports and ports to strengthen existing arrangements.
Our next steps in relation to international travel will include development of an electronic passenger locator form and a revised system of follow up engagements with passegers arriving from overseas, work that is being coordinated on a cross departmental basis by the Department of Taoiseach.
In relation to testing at points of entry, the HSE is examining introduction of a voluntary rapid test and trace protocol for symptomatic passengers arriving from overseas.
