Travellers from EU 'orange' countries arriving into Ireland from Sunday will not have to restrict their movements for 14 days if they have a negative Covid-19 test undertaken three days before arrival.
This was revealed by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan when he appeared today in front of the Transport Committee to discuss the Government's plan on managing travel from the EU under its new traffic light system.
The Minister also said the requirement to restrict movement for 14 days following arrival from a red region remains.
However, he said that as soon as practicable, this can be waived following a negative result from an approved Covid-19 test taken five days after arrival.
Minister Ryan said that a senior cross-Departmental technical working group will report back to Government on 10 November with a plan to establish approved Covid-19 tests for international arrivals.
In relation to financial support for aviation, he said a significant level of Exchequer support has been made available for the aviation sector.
He told politicians that airlines and airports are availing of wage subsidies, waivers of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities.
However, the Minister also said the Government would consider further measures to support the industry in the forthcoming National Economic Plan.
Minister Ryan said he knew there was frustration at industry level and a perception among the airlines and airports that more needs to be done to help them and he said more can be done and more is being done.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control will publish a three-stage colour system to indicate the level of risk in each area of the EU on a weekly basis.
Levels will be determined by a range of factors including the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population, the number of tests being carried out and the positivity rate.
Green countries have a rate of fewer than 25 cases per 100,000 of population, Orange countries have an infection rate of below 50 while Red (the vast majority of EU countries at present) have more than 50 cases per 100,000 of population.
Also today, an expert review for the National Public Health Emergency Team recommended that the 14-day restricted movement rule, for close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case, should remain in place.
The review was concluded by the Health Information and Quality Authority, which looked at the incubation period - the period between exposure to the virus and symptom onset.
Close contacts are currently offered a test on day one and again on day seven.
Dr Máirín Ryan, HIQA Director of Health Technology Assessment, said it was important that people understand the reasons for the two tests and the implications of receiving a "not detected" first test report, as many people at this early stage may be in the incubation period.
HIQA said that without changes to the current testing strategy, it has advised that the current period of restriction of movement remain.
It added that if changes are made in the future, it would need to come with a clear communications strategy.
In a statement, HIQA said it was also asked by NPHET to explore the potential impact of testing to reduce the period of restricted movements for close contacts of a Covid-19 case from 14 days.
Based upon a modelling exercise, HIQA's advice concluded that any testing strategy to reduce the period of restricted movements from 14 days presents an increased risk of transmission.
"An increased risk in transmission may not be acceptable when considering current levels of community transmission in Ireland", it said.
HIQA said that should a change be made to the current strategy, the use of a day 0 and day 10 test, with the end of restricted movements on receipt of a 'not detected' test result on day 10, would be of most benefit.
This would reduce the number of people restricting their movements and pose the least risk.
Additional reporting Fergal bowers
