Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
531. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason elite athletes have an exemption that allows them to travel for their sporting matches and not restrict their movements for 14 days upon their return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32819/20]
View answerInternational travel is an essential part of normal preparation and competition for many high performing, elite athletes. In particular, such athletes have to travel overseas to compete for qualification competitions and to attend training camps.
The Expert Group on the Return to Sport has prepared a protocol on “International Travel for High Performance Sporting Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The purpose of this document is to mitigate against elite athletes becoming infected with COVID-19 whilst abroad and also to mitigate the risk of visiting athletes coming to Ireland with COVID-19 and transmitting the virus whilst here.
Key elements of the protocol include the daily monitoring of the athlete's health prior to travel, the creation of a “Travel Bubble” whilst abroad, which limits the athletes’ social interaction whilst abroad, and the restriction of movement and daily monitoring of their health on return.
On return to Ireland, elite athletes are expected to restrict their movements outside of sport activities for 14 days. Restrictions include prohibition on use of public transport, limitation on visitation to other households and of others to their homes.
