Minister for Health confirms new travel measures in light of COVID-19 pandemic
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 22 May 2020
- Last updated on: 28 May 2020
Minister for Health Simon Harris TD has today confirmed it will be obligatory for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form.
The regulations will be signed by Minister Harris and will come into effect from Thursday, May 28th. They will remain in effect until 18 June 2020, when they will be reviewed.
The government continues to advise Irish citizens and residents against all non-essential international travel, and passengers arriving into Ireland from outside of the island of Ireland are asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Minister Harris said:
"These are extraordinary measures but they are necessary in a time of a public health crisis.
"We continue to advise everyone against non-essential travel. However, if a person does arrive into Ireland from overseas, they will be legally obliged to fill out this form, regardless of their nationality.
“The form will be used to facilitate a system of follow up checks to make sure people who travel to the country are staying where they said that they would. The Form will also ensure more accurate and quicker contact tracing, should we have a confirmed case on a flight or ferry coming into Ireland.
"Every measure we take is aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting people from this virus. This is no different."
The Regulations introduce new offences punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, for the following:
- failure to complete and give the form to a relevant person
- providing information that to the person’s knowledge is false or misleading (whether on the form, when presenting the form, or in subsequent follow-up checks)
- failure to provide further information to a relevant person upon request (who suspects that the form has not been completed properly)
- failure to update residence or contact details if they change within 14 days of arrival into the State.
Certified international transport workers, air and maritime pilot/masters and crew, will not have to complete the form. Passengers who are travelling immediately onwards to Northern Ireland will have to fill out a portion of the form
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
From Thursday 28 May there will be a legal requirement for passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas to complete Passenger Locator Form.
The form will be used to facilitate a system of follow up checks to make sure people who travel to the country are staying where they said that they would.
The form will also ensure more accurate and expeditious contact tracing, should we have a confirmed case on a flight or ferry coming into Ireland.
On arrival, passengers must submit the completed form to the authorities setting out their contact details. Completion of this form is now mandatory by law as prescribed under section 31A of the Health Act 1947.
Passengers who are travelling immediately onwards to Northern Ireland should indicate this and will be required to fill out a portion of the form (name and signature).
Effective from 28 May 2020
The regulations underpinning the mandatory completion of the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form will be signed by Minister Harris and will come into effect from Thursday 28 May.
Exemptions
The following passengers arriving from overseas are not required to complete this form:
- aircraft crew, including the pilot, who are in Ireland in the course of performing their duties
- diplomats
International transport workers who:
- have a Green Lane Annex 3 Certificate
- are driving a Heavy Goods Vehicle
- ship crew, including the master, who are in Ireland in the course of performing their duties
- passengers in transit to another jurisdiction which does not involve leaving the port or airport