Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the mechanism for a person to travel who has recovered from Covid-19 but who would still test positive to a PCR test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5153/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The extent to which the public, including arriving passengers, are advised to either restrict movement, adhere to other public health measures or undertake Covid-19 testing is based on the advice of the public health authorities. My Department assists with the implementation of public health measures in relation to international travel, as decided by Government following relevant advice. 

Since 16 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland (unless exempt) are required to have evidence of a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test that was carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.

If a citizen has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel, they should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate immediately for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey.

Passengers are asked to present evidence of their negative/‘not detected’ result before boarding their airplane and will be denied boarding if they cannot produce such evidence or do not claim to fall into an exempt category.

Exemptions include international transport workers such as hauliers, airline and maritime crew. It also includes children aged 6 and under.  There is no exemption for persons who have recovered from COVID 19.

Intending passengers are advised to seek information about any public health requirements of countries that they are to visit. Such requirements may include a negative or not-detected PCR test result.