Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Questions (424, 475)

James O'Connor

Question:

424. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of antigen testing usage in a return to international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28901/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the use of the antigen test will be utilised more readily in order to facilitate international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29222/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 ad 475 together.

The Government has applied more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission domestically. The Government continues to advise against non-essential international travel.

At present, passengers arriving into Ireland from overseas are required to complete a passenger locator form, to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and to complete a period of quarantine at the address specified in their passenger locator form.

These travel measures are kept under continuous review based on public health advice and the international epidemiological situation. The Government has announced revised travel policies to take effect from 19 July in keeping with the EU Digital Covid Certificate. Work to give effect to these measures is progressing on a cross-departmental basis.