There are “no plans” to introduce Covid-19 travel restrictions on passengers arriving in Ireland.
Several countries announced this week that passengers arriving from China would have to take a Covid-19 due to a spike in infections in the country. China, which had implemented strict restrictions, recently announced it was easing its rules.
Italy became the first European country to introduce mandatory testing for arrivals from China earlier this week. Testing at Milan’s main airport started on December 26 and results showed almost half of the passengers were infected.
Read more: Liffey cycle path to be shelved due to 'gold-plated' costs
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on other EU countries to follow suit so that the new rules were effective. However, a Department of Health spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Mirror that there are “no plans” to introduce similar measures in Ireland.
“The international epidemiological situation in relation to Covid-19 and travel is closely monitored, including collaboratively with EU partners,” they said. Department of Health officials [on Thursday] attended an EU meeting on the matter.
“It is expected that further EU-level engagements will take place in the coming days. Based on assessments of the current epidemiological situation, there are no plans to introduce travel restrictions in Ireland.”
The spokesperson also noted that up to date travel information is published on the Government’s website. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said earlier this week that it does not currently recommend measures for travellers from China.
The Spanish government confirmed on Friday that it was also introducing mandatory testing on arrivals from China. New rules have also been introduced in the US, Japan, India and South Korea.
The opening hours for the Citywest and Punchestown vaccination centres are available here.
Read next:
East Wall office block refugees 'cried for four days' when they arrived
Attacks on Gardai 'quite bad' but guns aren't the answer, says Dublin MEP
'I travelled through Dublin Airport during cold snap mayhem - here is what you need to know'
Government issue statement on schools opening amid 'bitter' cold snap
To get the latest news to your inbox, s ign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter
