Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1818. To ask the Minister for Health the locations of mandatory hotel quarantine in the south of the country. [15586/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Tifco Hotel Group have been appointed as the service provider to assist the State in delivering mandatory hotel quarantine. Ground transportation to the designated facility will be provided for travellers from their point of entry to the State.

The facilities which will be used to receive arriving travellers in the start-up phase are located in Dublin.

The contractual arrangements provide for additional hotels from the group to be added as required to support the State in implementing this important public health measure. The locations of such additional facilities will be determined having regard to operational requirements and relevant operational factors.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1819. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expand the countries on the list for mandatory hotel quarantine. [15587/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 provides for a system of mandatory quarantine at designated facilities for certain categories of travellers. Under Section 38E of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, the Minister for Health may designate high-risk states, having regard to the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and any other relevant government minister. The designation of high-risk states has been completed and published onwww.gov.ie/quarantine, in anticipation of commencement at 4am Friday 26th March. There are currently 33 such states designated by the Minister for Health.

The Government gives continuous consideration to travel policy informed by the epidemiological situation internationally and public health advice, particularly in regard to the list of designated high-risk countries.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1820. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he has discussed with the Minister for Education on additional public health safety measures at schools. [15588/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.