Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is applying more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission domestically.

While the Government advises against non-essential international travel, there is no particular prohibition on travel to Ireland. 

However, anyone who arrives to the State having been overseas, with very limited exemptions, is currently required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative / non-detected pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory quarantine.

These travel measures are kept under continuous review based on public health advice and the international epidemiological situation.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable and this remains a very difficult time for nursing home residents and their families.  The extensive provision of vaccines to nursing home residents brings great hope and is providing an opportunity for additional visits.

Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents.

The HPSC published new visiting guidance on 23rd April, which comes into effect on 4th May, and will provide additional opportunities to visit nursing home residents. Residents may now be facilitated to receive four routine visits per week. This will be possible following two weeks after the full vaccination of approximately 8 out of 10 of all residents in the nursing home. Otherwise, two visits per week should be facilitated. The duration of visits should be appropriate to the needs of the resident and should not be less than one hour. Where there is high vaccine coverage, 2 people may visit at a time but there is no requirement to limit the number of nominated visitors.

If a visitor is fully vaccinated and is visiting in a room with a resident who is fully vaccinated with no other person present, they do not need to wear masks or avoid physical contact.

A copy of the latest guidance can be accessed through the link below:

www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/residentialcarefacilities/Guidance%20on%20visits%20to%20RCF.pdf.

Although the situation in nursing homes has greatly improved, the risk associated with COVID-19 remains very real. There is still a risk of introduction of infection, including the possibility of a new variant of COVID-19, against which the vaccine may be less effective. Therefore, caution remains appropriate. At all times vigilance on the general infection prevention and control measures must be maintained and public health advice must continue to be followed, including when visiting, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.

The guidance also re-states the existing position that there are very limited, if any, circumstances, including outbreaks, in which outdoor or window visiting should be suspended on infection prevention and control grounds.

I have recently written to all nursing home providers, through HIQA’s communication portal, to emphasise the need for all providers to follow the HPSC guidance on visitation. I have also met with HIQA on this matter to stress the importance of implementation of the guidance. The adoption of a holistic and person-centred approach, noting the key role that visiting, social connections and communication with family and friends has in the context of residents’ overall health and wellbeing must be sustained. I expect every effort to be made to ensure visits are facilitated to the greatest extent possible, in line with the new guidance and public health advice. Providers are also encouraged to frequently communicate with residents and families on the matter of visiting and to respond to phone calls by family members, in so far as is practicable, given the constraints on staff.