Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2021
235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the additional measures that will be implemented to restrict travel into this State during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2136/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passengers arriving to the State are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator form. The form is used for contact tracing and to support a system of engagements with arriving passengers including the targeting of public health messaging by SMS and email.
Ireland has adopted the EU traffic light approach to international travel. Different levels of public health advice apply depending on whether the region of departure is classified by the ECDC as Green, Orange, Red or Grey.
More stringent measures have recently been implemented in response to the detection of new variants of SARS-Cov-2 in Great Britain and South Africa. A ban on passenger travel between Great Britain and Ireland was in effect from 21 December to 8 January, and additional restrictions placed on travellers arriving from South Africa.
Since 9 January, passengers arriving from Great Britain or South Africa have been legally required to present evidence of a negative pre-departure PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Failure to do so is an offence with penalties of up to €2,500 and up to six months imprisonment or both.
Following arrival, passengers arriving from these countries continue to be advised to self-isolate for 14 days and to contact a GP to arrange a test to be taken after day 5. The result of this test does not lead to disapplication of the advice to self-isolate for the full 14 days.
The government has decided that from 16 January, the pre-departure test requirement will be extended to passengers arriving to Ireland from all countries. The government is gives continuing consideration to policy on international travel, informed by public health advice and the work of the senior officials group on travel.
