14 days of self-isolation, regardless of test result

THE HSE HAS issued updated advice for anyone who has arrived in Ireland from Great Britain since December 8, including self-isolation for 14 days, regardless of the Covid-19 test result.

Previously, those returning from Britain were warned that they could stop restricting their movements if they received a negative PCR test result five days or more after arrival.

Tonight, the HSE said it is issuing this new advice due to the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in London and the South East of England.

Clinical director Dr Colm Henry said initial analysis of the new strain identified in England suggests that it is “significantly more transmissible than other strains.”

All people who have traveled from England, Scotland or Wales since December 8 are advised:

• You should self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the date of arrival in Ireland. The previous advice was to restrict movements for 14 days – This improves this advice from staying home to staying in your room..
• You need to arrange a Covid-19 test by calling a GP or medical services after hours. This should be done as soon as possible 5 days after your arrival in Ireland.
• If your test results are ‘undetected viruses’ keep isolating during the 14-day period as you could still be developing symptoms and you need to protect others from potential risks.
• If you have already had a private test, still need to complete 14 days of self-isolationregardless of the result of your private test.
• If you develop any symptoms of Covid-19 at any stage, call your GP and let them know about your recent trip from Great Britain.
• If you have traveled from Great Britain, do not visit a nursing home or long-term residential installation until you have completed your 14 days of self-isolation.

Dr Henry said this is a stricter form of advice than the standard advice to ‘restrict your movements’ that would otherwise apply to people traveling to Ireland, but “our priorities must be to keep our friends and family insurance during Christmas ”.

“I ask everyone who has traveled to follow this advice and show this food [community] spirit that we have seen throughout the pandemic. The HSE has written to the clinical teams to inform them of this advice and we thank them for their continued support and assistance, ”he said.

Although Henry said we don’t know yet if the new Covid-19 variant has spread outside Britain, we may see cases in Ireland.

“Our current protective actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 remain the best protection we have against all strains of this virus,” he said.