Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
927. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the percentage of incoming passengers who declared an essential reason for travel in each week from 1 February 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13207/21]
View answerAll passengers arriving to the State are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator form, there are limited exemptions from this requirement for international transport workers, diplomats and children under 16. The Passenger Locator Form is used to support a system of engagements with arriving passengers including the targeting of public health messaging by SMS and email and may be used for contact tracing. Passengers may have completed a passenger locator form in advance of travelling and not travelled.
Since 6th February the reference to Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/1475 on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was removed from the PLF and the declaration on essential travel no longer recorded.
From the 1st to 7th of February inclusive a total of 12,659 Passenger Locator Forms were completed of which 46.3% claimed the essential travel exemption.
