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ANOTHER 20 countries will be added to the list of countries from where people arriving here will need to be quarantined in a hotel.
Primary legislation is required before people are mandated to quarantine themselves in hotels, but people arriving from “category 2” countries are currently legally required to self-quarantine for two full weeks.
Previously, Brazil and South Africa were the only countries on this list, but the Taoiseach has now confirmed that another 20 countries should receive the same treatment.
Speaking today on RTÉ Morning Ireland, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Austria, the United Arab Emirates and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa are among those to be added to the list later today.
Anyone who arrives in this country without a negative PCR test is also considered “category 2” and must remain in quarantine for two full weeks.
Legislation for mandatory hotel quarantine could be released next week, but a firm timeline has yet to be set.
The government first proposed the plan for mandatory hotel quarantine a fortnight ago, but has come under additional pressure to speed up the measure before its introduction in England from next Monday.
Before Monday, the UK government yesterday released a list of 33 “red list” countries of which people will be required to spend 10 days in a government-designated hotel.
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In yesterday afternoon’s Dáil, Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke said the UK move had “exposed the Irish government’s excuses and delays in this area.”
“Mandatory hotel quarantine can be done and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be done here for all non-essential arrivals,” he said.
O’Rourke asked Transport Minister Eamon Ryan if he had spoken to his counterpart in London “about using Ireland as a back door to Britain” and when would Ireland have a more comprehensive list.
The minister responded: “This is the most serious issue and one in which we take and follow public health advice. The public health council will arrive this afternoon on which additional countries we, like the UK, should consider applying much stricter restrictions. We will implement that advice at full speed. “
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