Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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681. To ask the Minister for Health if mandatory quarantining is envisaged for overseas visitors as international travel begins to resume; the length of time the quarantining period will be; if facilities have been sourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9260/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases. Ultimately, the progress towards suppression of community transmission which has been achieved and which should allow for greater resumption of social and economic life in Ireland could be endangered.

Based on public health guidance and the understanding of the possible length of incubation of Covid-19, public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days.

It is a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. 

My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14 days' self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas. These proposals would include possible enforcement measures.  The issue of imposing mandatory quarantine for a 14 day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.

Along with interdepartmental work, there is also ongoing close engagement at political and official levels with the authorities in both Northern Ireland and the UK on the issue of international travel measures.