Mandatory Hotel Quarantine (MHQ) was introduced in March 2021 as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19. I announced the removal of all remaining States from the List of Designated States for Mandatory Hotel Quarantine on Saturday, 25 September 2021.
Whilst the system of Mandatory Hotel Quarantine was operational, a total of 10,398 people entered Mandatory Hotel Quarantine accommodation. At its peak, 8 hotels were in use, and the busiest day was on 9 May 2021 when 1,008 persons were in accommodation. The last residents to leave accommodation departed on 26 September.
All guests undergoing mandatory quarantine in a designated facility were provided with access to a 24/7 on-site healthcare team, who provided daily well-being check-in calls as well as direct engagement as requested and required. GP services were available and delivery of prescription medicine arranged where needed. Guests requiring any specific, urgent or emergency care which could not be provided in the hotel were referred to an appropriate medical facility by the on-site healthcare team.
Medical assistance requiring the attendance of an Ambulance for residents in accommodation occurred on 45 occasions over the 26 weeks that the system was in operation.
Guests received RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 after entering mandatory hotel quarantine. 593 positive cases of COVID-19 were detected.
