Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
693. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which visitors coming into Ireland are expected to travel from the airport to their place of quarantine; and if he plans to arrange safe transport for this purpose as has been done in the UK and other countries. [8071/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra921. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if persons travelling to Ireland from Brazil will be required to pay for their hotel quarantine. [8777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 921 together.
The operationalisation of designated quarantine facilities is being advanced on a cross-departmental basis, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Transport, Justice, Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as a matter of priority.
This group is working urgently to establish the scope of services required to put these facilities in place, including necessary procurement and legislative basis – including operational issues such as costs or transport.
A draft bill is at an advanced stage and will be published and submitted to Second Stage in the Dáil once approved by Cabinet. The Bill will allow for the quarantine in a central location of travellers who have been in a specified state within the past 14 days, regardless of citizenship or residence.
Under the current system of mandatory home quarantine, arrivals from Category 2 countries, including Brazil, South Africa, UAE, and other designated countries, must complete the full 14 days of quarantine - regardless of whether they can show a negative test result during the quarantine period.
