No screening of visitors taking place at ports – Mythen
SINN Féin TD, Deputy Johnny Mythen, has said the Government currently has no screening processes in place for visitors arriving into the country through ports.
Deputy Mythen said the Minister for Transport informed him that no such measures are in place but visitors are being asked to restrict their movements for 14 days after arriving here.
Deputy Mythen is now calling on the Government to ensure enough steps are taken to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission through Irish ports and airports.
He said there is ongoing ambiguity and confusion over whether people travelling into the country are being appropriately assessed to ensure they have complied with public health guidelines and are continuing to do so.
‘We remain at a crucial point in the urgent fight to halt the spread of Covid-19 and it is essential that people continue to stay at home and refrain from all but essential travel,’ said Deputy Mythen.
While acknowledging it’s vital for ports to remain open as they are essential gateways to bring food and supplies into the country he said they cannot be misused by tourists.
‘A number of my constituents have reached out to me expressing concern about the ongoing lack of clear guidelines around ports,’ he said.
‘They are concerned that this could see people further transmit the virus in the community and undermine other efforts to halt the pandemic,’ he added.
Deputy Mythen wrote to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, about the issue last week and asked him to outline what provisions are in place.
‘He informed me that screening of visitors is not in place and that while visitors are asked to restrict their movements for 14 days, [he] did not detail how this is tracked or facilitated,’ said Deputy Mythen.
He said the Government needs to urgently clarify what measures, if any, are being taken in relation to people arriving here and the Government also needs to outline whether there are facilities at ports for people to self-isolate where required.’