Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans to permit an exemption to the requirement for planning permission to facilitate the construction of a testing centre for Covid-19 at or in the vicinity of Dublin Airport which has been proposed to be managed by the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/20]
View answer251. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered establishing a Covid-19 test centre to facilitate pre-departure testing for airline passengers or testing upon arrival into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/20]
View answer275. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport if there are specific guidelines for those wishing to travel back to Ireland for Christmas. [35154/20]
View answer286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has given consideration to establishing a testing centre for Covid-19 which would be dedicated to pre-departure testing and/or testing upon arrival for airline passengers travelling in and out of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 251, 275 and 286 together.
The Government has decided on how it will implement the “traffic light” approach agreed by EU Member States. Green, orange and red status is updated weekly and is based on ECDC data on Covid-19 incidence rates.
With Ireland currently at level 5 of the Living with Covid Plan, there should be no non-essential travel of any kind within or outside of Ireland for the coming weeks. The focus is on fighting the virus, and any incoming passengers must comply with Level 5 public health measures.
Passengers from Green regions may enter Ireland without restricting their movements – but they must abide by the provisions of the Living with Covid Plan, currently at Level 5.
The default for Passengers from all other countries not on the Green list is to restrict their movements for 14 days unless they are currently exempted essential workers. From Monday,9th of November the request for those arriving from orange locations to restrict their movements can be waived, if they have a negative or "not detected" result from a PCR test result taken up to three days before the date of departrute for Ireland.
The Government has also adopted the EU list of categories of traveller that are exempt from the request to restrict movement from Monday, 9th of November.
The Government is considering further measures relating to international travel and a further announcement will follow shortly. This will also adress the question of the possible development of COVID 19 testing facilities at State Airports.
The question of the need for any specic guidlines for persons travelling to Ireland for Christmas will be considered at a later date taking account of circumstances as they develop.
Guidance for travel to Ireland is available on www.Gov.ie
