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Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is expected to tell an Oireachtas committee today how, as of midnight on November 8, travelers from EU ‘Orange’ countries will not have to restrict movements for 14 days, if they have a negative Covid-19 test done for three days prior to arrival.
Minister Ryan is before the committee after noon to discuss the government’s plan to manage travel from the EU, under its new traffic light system.
It is understood that it will also describe how the state will deal with travel from the “red countries” of the EU.
Travelers are expected to be able to bypass the full 14-day restriction period by taking a second approved Covid-19 test five days after arrival.
Meanwhile, an expert review from the National Public Health Emergency Team recommended that the 14-day restricted movement rule be maintained, for close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19.
The review was concluded by the Quality and Health Information Authority, which analyzed the incubation period, the period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms.
Currently, close contacts are offered a test on day one and again on day seven.
Dr. Máirín Ryan, Director of Health Technology Assessment at HIQA, said it was important for people to understand the reasons for the two tests and the implications of receiving an “undetected” first test report, as many people in this early stage may be in incubation. period.
HIQA said that with no changes to the current test strategy, it has reported that the current period of movement restriction remains.
He added that if changes are made in the future, it should come with a clear communication strategy.
In a statement, HIQA said that NPHET also asked it to explore the potential impact of testing to reduce the period of restricted movements for close contacts of a Covid-19 case from 14 days.
Based on a modeling exercise, the HIQA board concluded that any trial strategy to reduce the 14-day restricted movement period presents an increased risk of transmission.
“An increased risk of transmission may not be acceptable considering the current levels of community transmission in Ireland,” he said.
HIQA said that if a change is made to the current strategy, the use of a test on day 0 and day 10, in order to restrict movements when receiving an ‘not detected’ test result on day 10, would be higher. benefit.
This would reduce the number of people restricting your movements and pose the least risk.
Additional reports Fergal Bowers
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