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Covid-19 Tests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Questions (218)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the senior cross-Departmental technical working group will report back to him with a plan to establish approved Covid-19 tests for international arrivals; and if so, if he will provide the details of their recommendations and advice. [36448/20]

View answer

Written answers

Following the work of the Senior Officials Group on International Travel the Government has agreed that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. The testing regime envisaged for international travel will therefore be implemented through the private supply of testing availability in Ireland. This will include availability for:

- testing post-arrival (from day 5) for passengers who have arrived from a location that is not on the green list and who wish to avail of a test as a means of reducing the period of restricted movement from 14 days; and

- testing for departing passengers who need or wish to complete a pre-departure test requirement before travelling to another country.

Subject to the ongoing review of testing by NPHET and Government, a Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is currently the only test that is accepted for the purposes of allowing the advice relating to restricted movement to be waived. Testing technology and delivery options for facilitating international travel will be kept under review, include LAMP and antigen testing.

The Senior Officials Group on International Travel continues to meet regularly to monitor and review implementation of the arrangements outlined above and to consider further options with a view to reporting to Government as appropriate.

Shannon and Cork Airports have indicated that drive through testing is now available for passengers and the public. The DAA have indicated that the provision of testing at Dublin Airport by private providers, is expected this week, and it can be increased within weeks.

Testing at Dublin Airport is intended to be undertaken by two providers, by means of a drive-through and walk-through facility at the airport. DAA has advised that the testing offer by the providers will be reasonably priced within what is generally available on the market.

Since there can be no certainty that testing capacity will be available to meet all of the demand at all times, intending passengers who wish to avail of testing should seek an appointment before travelling.

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