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The leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has said the Government needs to introduce mandatory quarantine for all travelers arriving into Ireland.<\/p>\nThe leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has said the Government needs to introduce mandatory quarantine for all travelers arriving into Ireland.<\/p>\n
Mary Lou McDonald described proposals to quarantine those who arrive without a negative Covid-19 test as \u201cabsolutely insufficient\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Government Covid-19 sub-committee will meet today to discuss the current public health restrictions.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the Government is to make a decision on whether to extend the health measures in place since last month. Cabinet will also consider the issue of mandatory quarantine for some arrivals, particularly for those who arrive without a negative test.<\/p>\n
However, Ms McDonald said these measures do not go far enough.<\/p>\n
We need a mandatory enforced quarantine<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they don\u2019t have a pre-arrival negative test they should be sent back to from whence they came,\u201d she told RT\u00c9 Morning Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecondly, we need a second mandatory test after five days of being on the island and we need a mandatory enforced quarantine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that the Government is proposing simply to quarantine those that arrive without a negative test \u2013 that is absolutely insufficient.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very surprised at this stage that they don\u2019t realize \u2013 certainly Nphet and the public health experts realize \u2013 we have to grasp this nettle now, and it needs to be very, very clear that only essential travel onto the island, and then a mandatory form of quarantine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said that a mandatory quarantine of 14 days will act as an \u201ceffective push back\u201d on travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think now at this juncture it is absolutely proportionate to ensure that those coming onto the island are tested pre-arrival, tested post-arrival, and that the quarantine isn\u2019t laissez faire, or a matter of just a hit and miss which, let\u2019s be honest, has been the case up to now, that now needs to stop,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need very firm and very secure arrangements. I would be urging the Government to move away from any kind of minimalist notion that quarantine is only for those who arrive without their negative test, it needs to be much more comprehensive than that.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, it goes without saying, that for this to work it has to be island-wide so that poses now a real challenge for the Government in Dublin to now, very belatedly, use its influence to ensure that the same stringent measures are in place for those arriving in Belfast, or any point of entry, north of the border onto our island.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Government is still advising against all non-essential overseas travel.<\/p>\n
All passengers arriving into Ireland are required to produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.<\/p>\n
Passengers are being asked to give evidence of their negative test before boarding a plane or ferry.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Labour leader Alan Kelly said garda\u00ed should police the border to prevent non-essential travel.<\/p>\n
He also backed the idea of introducing mandatory quarantine for all arrivals.<\/p>\n
Mr Kelly said that garda checks should be set up on arterial routes within five kilometers of the border.<\/p>\n