Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Teachta Pa Daly, has called for greater controls over arrivals into Ireland to ensure the hard work everyone has contributed to since March is not undone in a matter of days or weeks.
“The government has failed to put adequate controls into place to ensure that people arriving to Ireland follow an effective quarantine process,” said Teachta Daly.
Covid Out of Control
“Covid-19 is out of control in certain countries, such as the United States, and yet I am being told of tourists and business visitors, as well as Irish people returning home to visit family, being able to move freely without self-isolating for the required fourteen days.
“People in Kerry are extremely upset that our huge efforts to contain the virus will be in vain due to weak government controls.
“Local tour operators have had to cancel bookings at the last minute because they became aware customers had not quarantined.
Uncertainty On Tour Operators
This places even more uncertainty on tour operators who are already struggling. I commend them for taking a stand.
“Many visitors believe that quarantine is optional and need not be taken seriously. I am calling on government to provide clarity without further delay. We cannot consider relaxing through “air bridges” or other means, until we have absolute certainty over quarantine obligations and enforcement of same.
Temperature Checks And Rapid Testing
“All visitors should be crystal clear, from the moment they book their ticket, that they will need to adhere to strict quarantine protocols and that they will be required to check-in with authorities.
“We should go further by insisting on temperature checks and rapid Covid-19 testing from high-risk areas.
“I was particularly disappointed to learn that a visitor arriving from overseas was apparently unable to avail of the Covid-19 tracker as they are not an Irish resident, and do not hold an Irish credit card on the app store.
Visitors Roaming Unchecked
This has the potential to be part of the solution for visitors to the island and I hope it is amended.
“The extent to which we appear willing to allow visitors to roam the island unchecked is going to cost us heavily I fear,”
