Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2021
576. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff are exempt from certain Covid-19 regulations, for example, testing and self-isolation due to travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/21]
View answer578. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some airline staff will not be able to fully abide by Covid-19 restrictions, such as awaiting test results and restriction of movement, due to the nature of their work; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/21]
View answer579. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff are exempt from getting a Covid-19 test to enter this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2625/21]
View answer580. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff are exempt from Covid-19 regulations regarding self-quarantining due to travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/21]
View answer581. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff travelling to the UK for work are entitled to free Covid-19 testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/21]
View answer582. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff can be tested using a Covid-19 lamp as opposed to a polymerase chain reaction, PCR, test that can take up to 48 hours to give a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2628/21]
View answer583. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if airline staff are exempt from testing and self-quarantining following receipt of a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 578 to 583, inclusive, together.
From 16 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland (except those arriving from Northern Ireland) are required to have a negative/‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
International Transport Workers, including workers in aviation, maritime and road haulage sectors are exempt from this requirement where they are travelling in the course of performing their duties.
The public health advisory to restrict movements for 14-days upon arrival into Ireland does not apply to International Transport Worker categories listed above.
For such travellers that are required to complete a test, a negative result from a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by Ireland’s public health authorities in relation to international travel. Testing provision under Ireland’s framework for international travel is provided by commercial suppliers and not via the public health system.
It is not yet understood whether available vaccines prevent vaccinated persons from being infected or transmitting the disease to others. The WHO has continues to caution governments against introducing immunity passports at this time.
