Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1662. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered extending exemptions for mandatory hotel quarantine to those who are receiving medical care abroad due to terminal illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18591/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.
At present, persons returning to Ireland from or transitioning through high risk countries after receiving medical treatment abroad are not exempt from the requirement to enter the mandatory hotel quarantine.
The Government continues to evaluate wider policy on international travel as informed by the epidemiological situation and public health advice. In this context, regulations have been introduced to allow fully vaccinated persons arriving from designated states to be exempt from Mandatory Hotel Quarantine. However, this only applies to persons who are fully vaccinated with an EMA-approved vaccine and there will still be a requirement for them to quarantine at home following arrival into the State.
