Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
752. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if accompanying a child for parental access outside of Ireland is deemed essential travel; if self-quarantine at home on return to Ireland will be sufficient; if not, if mandatory quarantine in a hotel will be required under the proposed travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6551/21]
View answerI signed new regulations titled S.I. No. 29 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 on Friday 29 January, which detail reasonable excuses for travel to an airport or port for purpose of leaving the State.
This list includes:
- if the person is a parent or guardian of a child, or a person having a right of access to a child, to give effect to arrangements for access to the child by the person, or another person who is -
(I) a parent or guardian of the child, or
(II) a person having a right of access to the child,
where the person is not ordinarily resident in the State, to leave the State.
Under the SI No. 44/2021 arriving passengers (with a limited list of exemptions) are required to home quarantine for 14 days at the address given on their Passenger Locator Form. A second ‘non-detected’ PCR test result taken no less than 5 days after arrival can end the quarantine period. However certain countries are designated as having a variant of concern (currently Brazil & South Africa) and arrivals from these countries do not have the option to end quarantine early.
Close consideration is continuously given to all travel measures and intending travellers should ensure that they are familiar with all Irish public health measures before travelling to Ireland.
