![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2.58820626.png\")
The EU Commission said it is in discussions with Irish authorities about lifting its quarantine measures for travelers arriving from EU countries.<\/p>\nThe EU Commission said it is in discussions with Irish authorities about lifting its quarantine measures for travelers arriving from EU countries.<\/p>\n
Didier Reynders, EU Commissioner for Justice, said the Commission is \u201cclosely monitoring\u201d the State\u2019s quarantine rules.<\/p>\n
Last month, the Commission wrote a letter to the Government asking it to set out the criteria used to determine which countries go on the quarantine list.<\/p>\n
A Commission spokesperson said it had concerns about the system\u2019s \u201cproportionality and non-discrimination\u201d.<\/p>\n
The State\u2019s quarantine system includes Belgium and France. Other EU countries, including Italy, have been removed from the list.<\/p>\n
Mr Reynders tweeted on Friday: \u201cRegarding hotel quarantine rules in [Ireland], the commission is closely monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe requested and received information on the criteria on which such measures are based.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now in discussions with authorities to see how the lifting of measures can be facilitated.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the D\u00e1il debated extending the mandatory hotel quarantine system.<\/p>\n
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is seeking to extend the system, which is due to expire on June 8th, until the end of July.<\/p>\n
Mandatory hotel quarantine has been operational since March 26th.<\/p>\n
Mr Donnelly said that the number of variants of Covid-19 has fallen since then.<\/p>\n
He told the D\u00e1il that the system is working, adding that Ireland has the most restrictive quarantine system.<\/p>\n
As of May 2th5, a total of 4,400 people have entered mandatory hotel quarantine.<\/p>\n
Of these, there have been 173 Covid-19 detected cases, including 163 residents, nine staff and one unaccompanied minor.<\/p>\n
Of these cases, 59 variants of concern were detected.<\/p>\n
Mr Donnelly said it included 47 cases of the UK variant and 12 cases of the South Africa variant.<\/p>\n
A vote on whether to extend mandatory hotel quarantine is to take place next Wednesday.<\/p>\n