[ad_1]
TESTING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE is a “safer alternative” to restrictions, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) will report to the Oireachtas Transport Committee today.
In the authority’s opening statement, the DAA says that a strong pre-departure testing regime for the orange and red zone locations would be far more advantageous for Ireland’s recovery than the current situation.
Representatives from Ryanair, Aer Lingus, as well as the Shannon Group and Rome Airport will also appear before the committee today.
Ireland has agreed to align with the new EU traffic light scheme for international travel, in which the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control will publish a weekly map of the EU using a three-stage color system to indicate level. risk in each area. .
The new traffic light system should allow family and friends to return to Ireland for Christmas this year, something that ministers hope will happen.
While the current requirement that a person restrict their movements for 14 days after arrival from a ‘red’ region remains until further notice, the Government anticipates that, as soon as possible, this requirement can be waived on a result negative from an approved Covid-19 test performed five days after arrival.
Starting at midnight on the 8th November, the date the new traffic light travel plan takes effect in Ireland, the requirement that arrivals from orange locations restrict their movements can be waived if they test negative up to three days before arrival.
This test must be performed by a recognized authorized entity within that member state.
The DAA highlighted such developments in its statement, adding that around two-thirds of European countries now offer testing at their airports.
Committee members will be informed today that the DAA has secured suppliers to deliver pre-departure test facilities at Irish airports.
“Our preference was to have these service providers on site at Dublin and Cork airports to offer pre-departure testing to passengers. To do this, a government planning exemption is required that has been granted to other COVID testing locations.
“Unfortunately, until now, the State has not granted DAA the planning exemption
required and, in that context, we are currently unable to offer on-site testing at our airports, ”the opening statement reads.
The DAA says it has spent months working on potential pre-departure testing at airports, stating that they did so in the belief that there would be a harmonized system across Europe and that the Irish government would unequivocally support a pre-departure testing approach. .
The statement says that proof-of-exit facilities are required to support reciprocal agreements in other countries and to facilitate the re-establishment of Ireland’s connectivity and thus its economy.
Yesterday, a European Commission official said that “in a few weeks” a common and harmonizing approach protocol on testing will be ready.
Ultimately, the slow turnaround time and high cost of the PCR test (the test for Covid-19 used in testing centers across the country) means that this test method
it will not represent a viable long-term test option as traffic returns, the DAA will declare today.
“The goal should be to adopt test technology that provides a fast, affordable and scalable method of pre-departure testing.
“For people to move again and the economy to skyrocket, we will have to analyze
alternative options like LAMP and antigen testing. HIQA recently published a report
which recommended that NPHET consider implementing rapid and reliable antigen tests to improve
Prevention and controls of COVID-19 ”, says the statement.
It is understood that the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) is conducting a validation process for the LAMP tests. If approved by the Health Department, the new test could be incorporated into Ireland’s testing regime to reopen international travel.
The LAMP test uses a nose and throat swab and differs from a PCR test, which is used by the HSE to detect the presence of Covid-19 at its testing centers across the country. The LAMP test can be processed quickly without sending it to a laboratory.
Currently the only validated test recognized in Ireland is the PCR test. After someone has been cleaned, the PCR test must be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The new LAMP test does not and can give results in about an hour. This would be used for anyone wanting to leave the country.
The DAA has already sought the support of NVRL and HSE for the LAMP and antigen technologies to be validated and accredited.
“Continued support from all authorities to continually explore these alternative test methods is absolutely critical,” says the DAA.
There is already evidence that other countries are beginning to adopt these
technologies, says the airport authority.
Currently five airports offer rapid test methods, including those at London Heathrow and Paris Charles De Gaulle, committee members will be informed.
“We would expect to see more and more airports and governments supporting these methods as we learn to live and travel alongside COVID-19. Ironically, it appears that under our government’s planned implementation of the traffic light system, Ireland will accept a pre-departure antigen test if it was approved in another EU member state, but will not yet support this system at home. “
The authority says that Christmas is only 58 days away, adding:
“We want to welcome our loved ones home safely and allow those who live here and have not been able to see their families abroad to reunite. We ask for your support in adopting a rapid, affordable and scalable approach to pre-departure testing that will facilitate the restoration of travel in the long-term economic and social interests of our country. “
No news is bad news
Support the magazine
your contributions help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Support us now
Ryanair’s opening statement to the committee calls on the Irish government to adopt the EU traffic light system immediately with no restrictions on travel within the EU for green and amber countries and regions.
The airline says connectivity for Christmas should be achieved by ensuring that aviation policy allows Irish families to get together over Christmas.
Medical Director Tony Holohan has said public health experts have yet to consider whether people should travel home from abroad for Christmas.
Speaking at a press conference tonight, Holohan said that if there is a need to consider or advise the government in the coming weeks on the issue, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will certainly do so.
He said TheJournal.ie It is NPHET’s position that the risks associated with international travel are “very, very high.”
[ad_2]