Passengers from the United States and EU member states have not yet been subjected to mandatory hotel isolation.
The Ministry of Health announced the extension of compulsory hotel isolation to 26 countries and states instead of the 43 mentioned earlier in the week.
There has been a major dispute within the government over the Ministry of Health’s plans for compulsory hotel isolation for 43 countries, including the United States, France and Germany.
Foreign Secretary Simon Cowney and Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly discussed the plan on Thursday afternoon, including concerns about the right of EU citizens to travel freely and the organization’s ability to handle such numbers. Attorney General Mr. Has written to Donnelly about his legal concerns.
It is understood Mr. Mr Cowney opposed extending the isolationist need for these countries. Sources said Mr Donnelly continues to support the use of hotel isolation in these or other countries of great concern.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the Department of Health said consultations on the remaining countries and states, including the European Union and the United States, would be “considered” before the next government meeting.
“The ongoing response will address a wide range of issues, including operational capacity required to accommodate additional passengers and issues related to common travel areas, and the need to consult with our EU allies.
Countries to be added to the list of high risk countries:
- Republic of Albania;
- Andorra’s primary;
- அருபா;
- Kingdom of Bahrain;
- Bonaire, Saint-Eucharist and Sabah;
- Central Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;
- Israel’s position;
- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan;
- Republic of Kosovo;
- State of Kuwait;
- Republic of Lebanon;
- Republic of San Marino;
- Republic of Moldova;
- Primary of Monaco;
- Montenegro;
- Federal Republic of Nigeria;
- Republic of Northern Macedonia;
- Sultanate of Oman;
- Palestinian Government;
- Republic of the Philippines;
- The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
- State of Qatar;
- St. Lucia;
- Republic of Serbia;
- Federal Republic of Somalia;
- Part of the Wallis and Putuna Islands.
Removed from Mauritius Republican list.
Travelers from these states must book accommodation in compulsory hotel isolation if they plan to arrive in Ireland after 4am on Tuesday 6 April.
On Thursday morning, Mr Cowney said the mandatory hotel isolation system should not be used for large numbers of Irish countries.
The minister also expressed serious doubts about the effectiveness of the hotel isolation scheme, which would force thousands of people to stay in hotel rooms if a further 43 countries were added to the list.
Mr Gowney also questioned the legitimacy of the accession of several new countries, especially EU countries.
The attorney general wrote a letter to Mr Donnelly expressing concern about plans that had “angered” other ministers and the EU.
“There are many concerns about our ability to increase the number of countries in the short term. We need to think about the impact,” Cowney told Highland Radio.
“Take the example of France. There are 20,000 Irish in France. Many come home in the summer, many are students. “”
Hotel capacity
On Thursday afternoon, Mr Donnelly stressed that hotel capacity could be increased if needed as more countries were added to the mandatory hotel isolation list.
Mr Donnelly said the agreement with the operator of the Difco Hotel Group “allows for a relatively short period of expansion”.
He also pointed out that their number would be reduced as they would be added to the list of travelers from Type 2 countries.
Mr Donnelly said there was difficulty in assessing the capacity, but pointed to the UK, where the number of arriving passengers from some countries has dropped by 80 or 90%.
Currently the capacity available is 650 rooms, but if there is a significant increase in incoming travel, Difco said it could bring more hotels online.
Mr Donnelly did not deny that another operator could be brought aboard if needed: “We can always look into this.”
Commenting on the legal issues involved in listing several countries, including EU member states, Donelli said: “Of course we have to make sure that what we do is in accordance with the law and the law meets the requirements. With EU law. “”
He said: “Since compulsory segregation in hotels is no small matter, we consult with the Attorney General and his office to ensure that everything done is legally correct.
Erasmus students
The deal raised concerns that hundreds of Irish students taking Erasmus courses across Europe would face forced hotel isolation when they return if they were added to the list of designated countries from EU countries.
Students who fail to pay $ 1,800 for two weeks of isolation are at risk of not being recognized for their studies if they return home before the end of classes, the Independent D.T. Said John Collins.
Mr Donnelly’s claim that France and other EU countries could be added to the Type 2 list is “absolutely worrying among students” because they were in the host country until April 30 to complete their course.
He asked him to guarantee that if countries like France, Germany and Italy were added to the isolated list, “neither the government nor their universities would pay for it.”
“These students cannot pay 1, 1,800 for isolation at the hotel.”
Mr Donnelly said, “If there is a real and significant problem with your solution, you should first contact the Irish embassy concerned.”
He stressed that compulsory isolation was “very serious” and was part of a measure to protect against diversity.
“The epidemic situation across Europe is very worrying.” France now has significant locking measures, and “other countries are doing the same,” Donelli said.
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