Advertisement

Plans for COVID test for everyone entering Ireland would include Britain

Public health officials presented the advice Monday, after updating Government leaders
Sean Defoe
Sean Defoe

06.26 30 Nov 2021


Share this article


Plans for COVID test for every...

Plans for COVID test for everyone entering Ireland would include Britain

Sean Defoe
Sean Defoe

06.26 30 Nov 2021


Share this article


Cabinet ministers will decide later whether everyone coming into Ireland should need to have a negative COVID-19 test.

Public health officials presented the advice on Monday, after updating Government party leaders on the Omicron variant.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan met the three Government party leaders and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly - along with Dr Ronan Glynn, Professor Philip Nolan and Dr Cillian de Gascun.

Advertisement

The meeting heard the number of new cases has stabilised in recent days but at high levels.

During an update on the Omicron variant, health officials said it would be another two weeks before there is a clearer understanding of the risk posed.

Cabinet will consider requiring everyone arriving into Ireland to have a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of their vaccine status, within 72 hours ahead of travel.

It would have to be a negative laboratory test - this would mean a PCR test or a medically-supervised antigen test, rather than one done at home.

The measures are expected to apply to all flights and ferries into Ireland, including from Great Britain.

It comes just days after Britain confirmed new measures for travellers there would not apply to the Common Travel Area - including Ireland.

It is expected ministers will also advise children under 12 should be limited to one indoor social activity a week outside schools.

While the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommended a two week ban, Cabinet are likely to ask parents to strictly limit the social activity of children.

In that scenario, For example, children could go to a pantomime one week and a playdate the next.

NPHET also warned infection rates among five to 11-year-olds and their families are still very high.

Additional reporting: Jack Quann

Main image: British passport holders pass through Dublin Airport on the first day of Brexit on February 1st, 2020. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Travel / Alamy Stock Photo

Share this article


Read more about

Antigen Britain COVID-19 Test Children Common Travel Area Dr Tony Holohan Ireland NPHET Omicron Omicron Variant PCR Travel Vaccine Status

Most Popular