Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
631. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a person currently in London collecting the ashes of a relative must have a Covid-19 test before they return; and if they must isolate for 14 days if they receive a negative test. [5094/21]
View answerSince 16 January passengers arriving to Ireland from all overseas countries have been required to present evidence of a negative/not-detected test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Checks are made by border officials upon arrival and those that do not present a test result are committing an offense. Only international transport workers (in aviation, maritime and road haulage sectors) are not required to present a test result when travelling while performing their duties. Under the expanded measures recently announced by Government international travellers who enter the State via Northern Ireland will also subject to the test requirement.
Passengers arriving from Great Britain are currently advised to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. All such travellers, whether they have symptoms or not, are asked to phone any GP or GP out-of-hours service to arrange for a COVID-19 test, which should be done as soon as possible after 5 days post-arrival. This test will be free of charge if arranged through GPs.
Taking this test will allow the HSE to identify suspect cases for new variants of COVID-19 and control its transmission in Ireland. Notwithstanding the result of this test, passengers who have travelled from Great Britain are advised to complete the entire 14 days period of self-isolation.
New substantial quarantine measures have been announced by Government which will require all international travellers to complete a period of mandatory quarantine upon arrival. The drafting of legislation to give effect to quarantine requirements, as well as new legislation on pre-departure testing and the COVID-19 Passenger Locator form are at an advanced stage.
The Government continues to examine full operationalisation of travel measures announced on 26 January as matter of priority.
