Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
893. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if passengers arriving into Ireland by ferry are required to complete the passenger locator form; the steps he has taken to ensure that all persons entering Ireland by ferry and who have been in a designated state within the past 14 days are subject to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons arriving into Ireland from overseas are required to present both a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form or PLF e-receipt and evidence of a negative/non-detected RT-PCR pre-departure test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Persons who are planning to travel to Ireland should familiarise themselves with the requirements for their arrival, including whether or not they are arriving from or have transited through a designated state in the previous 14 days. Persons who arrive from designated states are required to undergo quarantine in a designated facility, which they must pre-book and pre-pay for before arrival, in addition to other requirements such as competing a PLF and holding a negative RT-PCR test result. This information, as well as additional information regarding exemptions to the requirement to quarantine in a designated facility, are available on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a6975-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/ and all official communication in this regard directs persons to review this information before arrival.
Persons who are travelling who are required to undergo quarantine in a designated facility should identify themselves to their carrier before boarding their flight or sailing and all carriers arriving in Ireland have been instructed to not allow boarding for any such persons who do not have the correct and complete documentation.
In the case that a person arrives from a designated country who has not complied with the above restrictions, they are identified on arrival and are required to undergo quarantine as normal.
Where a person arrives from a non-designated country but has failed to provide either a valid RT-PCR test or there is an issue with a claimed exemption, they are also directed to attend a designated facility. Persons without a valid RT-PCR may be released pending the result of a test taken on arrival. Persons who believe they are exempt may appeal their obligation to quarantine, however this can only occur once quarantine has begun.
If a passenger has been identified as required to undergo Quarantine in a Designated Facility, they are directed to a designated immigration channel away from other passengers and then undergo normal immigration procedures and customs controls.
Passengers are then accompanied to meet the Defence Forces State Liaison Officer and provided with dedicated transport to their assigned quarantine facility. They are accompanied on this journey by a member of the security team and the vehicle is escorted by members of the SLO team.
Infection Prevention and Control protocols are maintained throughout this process to ensure that passengers arrive at their facility both safely and comfortably to begin their quarantine.
