Fill in Covid form or face a ‘holiday’ behind bars

UNDER current restrictions, anyone entering the country is required to fill in a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form and they are also advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

People flying here will, depending on the airline, be given a form to fill in prior to arrival. If the form is not provided by the airline, passengers will be given one on arrival.

The form must be completed by everyone over 16. Each passenger must give their name, date of birth, and contact information such as phone numbers and email.

They will have to give the name of the airline they are flying with, the date and time of arrival, where they were flying in from, and where they arrived. The form does not ask for a date or point of departure.

The form asks people to tick a box for the reason why they are travelling to Ireland, with holiday/travel being an option, along with visiting family/friends, ‘relocating’ or residency. If their reason is not included, they are asked to specify what it is.

There are exemptions, such as for onward travel, which requires a signature but no contact information.

A Justice Department spokesman said if someone refuses to fill it out, the gardaí ‘will encourage them to comply... and, if they still refuse... enforce the regulations’.

It’s an offence not to fill in the form or knowingly provide false or misleading information on it, punishable by a fine of up to €2,500 and up to six months in jail.

The Mail asked the Border Management Unit and HSE if they do spot checks on the addresses people provided to ensure they are self-isolating. Neither replied.