Mandatory quarantine hotels - when and how much notice

zarker · 08-03-2021 11:30am #1

I'm wondering if any of you boardies know more then what's currently out there in the media with regards to the mandatory quarantine hotels for people arriving in Ireland from countries with a high incidence of Covid-19.
A family member (coming from a high-risk country) is arriving with small kids and wants to avoid mandatory quarantine in a hotel. They will of course quarantine at home.

What's I know so far:
- Law was signed on Sunday 07/03/2021
- Contracts with hotels will be signed on Wednesday 10/03/2021
- People arriving today won't have to quarantine in hotels as there are logistics hurdles to be overcome.

What I don't know:

- Is there an exact date where people arriving in the state will be required to quarantine in a hotel?
- How much notice will the government give?
- Is there a government agency that I can get in touch to seek clarification?

Thanks

Away With The Fairies · 08-03-2021 1:12pm

Read something online that it's starting from next week.

What I'd like to know, how will it all work? Is it hotel staff doing the work? That seems wrong to me, to be putting hotel workers at risk.

Also, how will they get from the airport to the hotel? Will there be transport set up from the airport?

M_Murphy57 · 08-03-2021 1:19pm

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

Read something online that it's starting from next week.

What I'd like to know, how will it all work? Is it hotel staff doing the work? That seems wrong to me, to be putting hotel workers at risk.

Also, how will they get from the airport to the hotel? Will there be transport set up from the airport?

Is your family member from one of the red listed countries? Mandatory quarantine seems like a box ticking exercise so the govt can pretend they closed the border without actually closing it.

It only applies to a jumble of African and south American countries, the majority of which dont have direct flights here.

It doesnt apply to US, UK, EU and there is also a further exemption for anyone travelling for essential or "logistical" work eg food production, healthcare work etc .

Would your family member meet the criteria for exemption ?

suicide_circus · 08-03-2021 1:25pm

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/quarantine-hotels-to-rely-on-private-security-firms-for-rules-enforcement-1.4498443

Rules to be enforced by private security who will presumably call the gardai if you try to leave.

zarker · 08-03-2021 1:52pm

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

Read something online that it's starting from next week.

What I'd like to know, how will it all work? Is it hotel staff doing the work? That seems wrong to me, to be putting hotel workers at risk.

Also, how will they get from the airport to the hotel? Will there be transport set up from the airport?

Can you share that link here? Thanks

zarker · 08-03-2021 1:54pm

M_Murphy57 wrote: »

Is your family member from one of the red listed countries? Mandatory quarantine seems like a box ticking exercise so the govt can pretend they closed the border without actually closing it.

It only applies to a jumble of African and south American countries, the majority of which dont have direct flights here.

It doesnt apply to US, UK, EU and there is also a further exemption for anyone travelling for essential or "logistical" work eg food production, healthcare work etc .

Would your family member meet the criteria for exemption ?

My family members are coming from a red-listed country so once the mandatory quarantine is in place, it will apply to them.

Away With The Fairies · 08-03-2021 2:15pm

zarker wrote: »

Can you share that link here? Thanks

Not much said in it other than starting next week.

https://www.redfm.ie/news/coronavirus/mandatory-hotel-quarantine-to-start-next-week/?fbclid=IwAR0s_Slf9wh0EhLY2yM34W1foZXerU4mnZ3fcarXILq_0KaedgLtN_zkasw

Red Silurian · 08-03-2021 2:16pm

zarker wrote: »

- Is there an exact date where people arriving in the state will be required to quarantine in a hotel?

No official date yet, the contracts with hotels are being signed on wednesday so we should have a date then

zarker wrote: »

- How much notice will the government give?

If this is taken seriously the govt will give a few days notice... If this is taken with the usual level of government speed then your family will have at least a month of a heads-up

arctictree · 08-03-2021 2:26pm

So who pays for this two week hotel stay? I have no doubt the tax payer will be picking up the tab??

fran38 · 08-03-2021 2:31pm

arctictree wrote: »

So who pays for this two week hotel stay? I have no doubt the tax payer will be picking up the tab??

The person who stays in the hotel will foot the bill themselves. The cost will be 2000/2500 euro for the 14 days.

fran38 · 08-03-2021 2:34pm

zarker wrote: »

My family members are coming from a red-listed country so once the mandatory quarantine is in place, it will apply to them.

Why will your family members travel once the quarantine hotel is in place? Its going to cost each individual up to 2500 euro for the 24 days. Can they not travel before? Or travel once this **** is done away with?

BringBackMick · 08-03-2021 3:54pm

There is a sunset clause on the legislation, it will be done away with by 7 June unless they renew it.

Red Silurian · 08-03-2021 4:52pm

fran38 wrote: »

The person who stays in the hotel will foot the bill themselves. The cost will be 2000/2500 euro for the 14 days.

They will but it is likely that the govt will contract too many hotel rooms and there will be a scandal and a commission of investigation and maybe even a tribunal down the line somewhere... They might even use this to deem mandatory hotel quarantine "not fit for purpose" in a few weeks so their buddies in the meat plants can get their cheap Brazilian workers back in

arctictree · 08-03-2021 4:56pm

fran38 wrote: »

The person who stays in the hotel will foot the bill themselves. The cost will be 2000/2500 euro for the 14 days.

Good luck chasing Carlos from Brazil for that!

BringBackMick · 08-03-2021 5:33pm

This legislation is likely in breach of EU law if it impacts freedom of movement within the block.

The government are trying to keep it as hush hush as possible in EU circles.

Time for people to put their complaints to the EU, let's hope for a heavy fine.

BringBackMick · 08-03-2021 5:34pm

Not even Hungary or Poland are implementing these such measures!

Cannot believe it was allowed go this far- it is blatantly against EU Law to imprison an EU citizen for visiting the state

Ginger n Lemon · 08-03-2021 5:40pm

BringBackMick wrote: »

Not even Hungary or Poland are implementing these such measures!

Cannot believe it was allowed go this far- it is blatantly against EU Law to imprison an EU citizen for visiting the state

I have same question. TBH I dont see this govt doing it properly by any means but obviously they decided to follow UK who are out of EU now. So can be enforced if EU citizen is arriving into Ireland?

I wont mention that assuming 100% of arrivals are infected with covid is unreasonable beyond belief :rolleyes:

is_that_so · 08-03-2021 5:43pm

BringBackMick wrote: »

Not even Hungary or Poland are implementing these such measures!

Cannot believe it was allowed go this far- it is blatantly against EU Law to imprison an EU citizen for visiting the state

When most of the Dail back it, it's happening. Surprised SF don't see the parallels to 50 years ago!

is_that_so · 08-03-2021 5:44pm

Ginger n Lemon wrote: »

I have same question. TBH I dont see this govt doing it properly by any means but obviously they decided to follow UK who are out of EU now. So can be enforced if EU citizen is arriving into Ireland?

I wont mention that assuming 100% of arrivals are infected with covid is unreasonable beyond belief :rolleyes:

Nationality apparently is irrelevant, it's where you're coming from.

Ginger n Lemon · 08-03-2021 5:46pm

is_that_so wrote: »

Nationality apparently is irrelevant, it's where you're coming from.

I get that but obviously EU citizen will have more travel rights within EU than non EU national?

HBC08 · 08-03-2021 5:48pm

arctictree wrote: »

So who pays for this two week hotel stay? I have no doubt the tax payer will be picking up the tab??

You ask the question and then the next line is you're in no doubt?
Why ask the question then?

By the way you're wrong,the person staying in quarantine pays.

is_that_so · 08-03-2021 5:52pm

Ginger n Lemon wrote: »

I get that but obviously EU citizen will have more travel rights within EU than non EU national?

Not really that clear under this regime. You seem to be stuck there for the 2 weeks regardless. I think it was done to get the Dail off their back and it's clear FF wanted it. I imagine they are hoping there'll only be a handful per week because it looks ripe for a Prime Time Investigates slot.

M_Murphy57 · 08-03-2021 6:57pm

Red Silurian wrote: »

They will but it is likely that the govt will contract too many hotel rooms and there will be a scandal and a commission of investigation and maybe even a tribunal down the line somewhere... They might even use this to deem mandatory hotel quarantine "not fit for purpose" in a few weeks so their buddies in the meat plants can get their cheap Brazilian workers back in

I can see it already too.

Undoubtedly FF cronies get the contracts. It will eventually transpire the govt paid their cronies 10k per night per vacant room to make up for contracting too many hotel rooms. Every well known Irish property developer will somehow be involved. The payments will be found to have run until 2030 despite the scheme being scrapped after a week and no actual travellers ever quarantining.

Doc07 · 08-03-2021 7:01pm

M_Murphy57 wrote: »

I can see it already too.

Undoubtedly FF cronies get the contracts. It will eventually transpire the govt paid their cronies 10k per night per vacant room to make up for contracting too many hotel rooms. Every well known Irish property developer will somehow be involved. The payments will be found to have run until 2030 despite the scheme being scrapped after a week and no actual travellers ever quarantining.

Isn’t it a bit mad all the same that there is very little exaggeration in all the above.

RunningFlyer · 08-03-2021 8:22pm

Have I read correctly that the “mandatory quarantine” only applies if the traveller does not have a negative PCR test?

That seems to be what the media are saying anyway... haven’t seen the actual legislation..

Del Griffith · 08-03-2021 8:34pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Have I read correctly that the “mandatory quarantine” only applies if the traveller does not have a negative PCR test?

That seems to be what the media are saying anyway... haven’t seen the actual legislation..

That would make too much sense. Knowing the way Ireland is doing things at the moment it's probably for people with a negative test.

davetherave · 08-03-2021 8:46pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Have I read correctly that the “mandatory quarantine” only applies if the traveller does not have a negative PCR test?

That seems to be what the media are saying anyway... haven’t seen the actual legislation..

https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2021/23/eng/ver_a/b23a21d.pdf

38B. (1) Subject to regulations made under section 38G(1)(g)(i), this section applies to a person, other than an exempted traveller, (in this Act
referred to as an ‘applicable traveller’)—

(a) who, on or after the commencement of this section, arrives in the State having been in a designated state at any time within the period of 14 days prior to such arrival, or

(b) not being a person to whom paragraph (a) applies, who, on or after the commencement of this section, arrives in the State—

(i) having been in a state which is not a designated state (in this Act referred to as a ‘non-designated state’) at any time within the
period of 14 days prior to such arrival, and

(ii) without the result of a RT-PCR test as defined in, and in accordance with the requirements of, any regulations made
under this Act.

So
1. From a country on the list or
2. From a country not from the list AND without a test result.

A Person from (1) is to remain in quarantine at a facility until either
14 days have passed,
or a test on their 10th day is negative,
or 14 days after their last symptom.

A person from (2) is to remain in quarantine at a facility until either
10 days have passed,
or they take a test and it is negative,
or on the expiration of their 10 days if OR a medical official is satisfied they have a residence they can self-isolate at, they take a test

Del Griffith wrote: »

That would make too much sense. Knowing the way Ireland is doing things at the moment it's probably for people with a negative test.

Just as well we don't have you in charge doing things then, spouting on about everything without having a read of the act.

Del Griffith · 08-03-2021 9:16pm

davetherave wrote: »

https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2021/23/eng/ver_a/b23a21d.pdf

38B. (1) Subject to regulations made under section 38G(1)(g)(i), this section applies to a person, other than an exempted traveller, (in this Act
referred to as an ‘applicable traveller’)—

(a) who, on or after the commencement of this section, arrives in the State having been in a designated state at any time within the period of 14 days prior to such arrival, or

(b) not being a person to whom paragraph (a) applies, who, on or after the commencement of this section, arrives in the State—

(i) having been in a state which is not a designated state (in this Act referred to as a ‘non-designated state’) at any time within the
period of 14 days prior to such arrival, and

(ii) without the result of a RT-PCR test as defined in, and in accordance with the requirements of, any regulations made
under this Act.

So
1. From a country on the list or
2. From a country not from the list AND without a test result.

A Person from (1) is to remain in quarantine at a facility until either
14 days have passed,
or a test on their 10th day is negative,
or 14 days after their last symptom.

A person from (2) is to remain in quarantine at a facility until either
10 days have passed,
or they take a test and it is negative,
or on the expiration of their 10 days if OR a medical official is satisfied they have a residence they can self-isolate at, they take a test

Just as well we don't have you in charge doing things then, spouting on about everything without having a read of the act.

Did I claim to have read the act?

Wasn't far off anyway, so a person can land here with a negative test taken within 48 hours of leaving and still be sentenced to quarantine. Ergo, most of the people in the prison hotels will be healthy.

08-03-2021 9:18pm

Tell them to duck off and stay where they are.

Dermot224 · 08-03-2021 10:39pm

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

beertons · 08-03-2021 10:43pm

Dermot224 wrote: »

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

What are they here for then?

is_that_so · 09-03-2021 9:37am

beertons wrote: »

What are they here for then?

Some of them could be coming back to their legal residence. We're aping Britain on this, at least without the 10 years in prison!

Red Silurian · 09-03-2021 10:07am

Dermot224 wrote: »

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

Tell them to make plans to come back soon or preferably after the pandemic

Hotel quarantine is a method of discouraging travel, nothing more, nothing less

Red Silurian · 09-03-2021 10:10am

Del Griffith wrote: »

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Have I read correctly that the “mandatory quarantine” only applies if the traveller does not have a negative PCR test?

That seems to be what the media are saying anyway... haven’t seen the actual legislation..

That would make too much sense. Knowing the way Ireland is doing things at the moment it's probably for people with a negative test.

If this were true then I could fly from Paris to cork and sit beside somebody who didn't get a test for 90 minutes, he'd have to quarantine but I wouldn't despite probably picking up an infection?

Would that not completely defeat the purpose of hotel quarantine?

davetherave · 09-03-2021 10:27am

Dermot224 wrote: »

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

All the information you need is in the text of the act.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (2), an applicable traveller shall—
(a) prior to his or her arrival in the State, pre-book a place in a designated facility,
(b) present himself or herself—
(i) where his or her arrival in the State is at a port or an airport, to a
relevant person, an approved person or a member of the Garda
Síochána, or

(4) An applicable traveller shall be subject to one or more charges in
respect of the costs incurred in the provision of—
(a) the accommodation, maintenance and any treatment provided to the
applicable traveller and any dependant person who is in the
designated facility with that traveller in accordance with section
38B(9) while he or she and any such dependant person are in a
designated facility, and
(b) any services referred to in section 38H provided in respect of him
or her and, where applicable, a dependant person.

(5) The costs referred to in subsection (4) shall be payable by the
applicable traveller in accordance with regulations made under section
38G and may be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of
competent jurisdiction from the applicable traveller concerned

Some of them could be coming back to their legal residence. We're aping Britain on this, at least without the 10 years in prison!

That's right, they could. And if you have a read through the text you will see some important information.

Starting with a definition.

‘place of residence’ means—

(a)where a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller, the place of residence (other than a designated facility) specified on the Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form,

(b) where a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller and the only place of residence specified was a designated facility or where no Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller—

(1)in relation to a person who is ordinarily resident in the State, the home in which the person ordinarily resides or if the person does not have a home, such other premises (other than a designated facility), if any, at which he or she is currently residing, whether on a permanent or temporary basis

(2) in relation to a person who is not ordinarily resident in the State, the premises (other than a designated facility), in the State, if any, at which he or she is currently residing or intends to reside after arriving in the State, whether on a permanent or temporary basis;

So either where they put on the Passenger Locator Form, or if they did not complete a PLF then where they currently reside.

Now then. If a person from a country not on a list shows up without a negative test result:

(6) Where an applicable traveller who presents himself or herself in accordance with subsection (5)(b) is a person referred to in subsection
(1)(b)(ii) without the result of an RT-PCR test in accordance with the requirements of any regulations on the basis that the result shows that
Covid-19 or the virus SARS-CoV-2 is detected, he or she shall—

(a) as soon as practicable after his or her arrival in the designated facility be assessed by a registered medical practitioner who is a
medical officer of health, and
(b) where that officer is satisfied, having regard to all the circumstances, that the person can effectively isolate in his or her place of residence, be discharged from the facility.

is_that_so · 09-03-2021 10:33am

davetherave wrote: »

All the information you need is in the text of the act.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (2), an applicable traveller shall—
(a) prior to his or her arrival in the State, pre-book a place in a designated facility,
(b) present himself or herself—
(i) where his or her arrival in the State is at a port or an airport, to a
relevant person, an approved person or a member of the Garda
Síochána, or

(4) An applicable traveller shall be subject to one or more charges in
respect of the costs incurred in the provision of—
(a) the accommodation, maintenance and any treatment provided to the
applicable traveller and any dependant person who is in the
designated facility with that traveller in accordance with section
38B(9) while he or she and any such dependant person are in a
designated facility, and
(b) any services referred to in section 38H provided in respect of him
or her and, where applicable, a dependant person.

(5) The costs referred to in subsection (4) shall be payable by the
applicable traveller in accordance with regulations made under section
38G and may be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of
competent jurisdiction from the applicable traveller concerned

That's right, they could. And if you have a read through the text you will see some important information.

Starting with a definition.

‘place of residence’ means—

(a)where a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller, the place of residence (other than a designated facility) specified on the Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form,

(b) where a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller and the only place of residence specified was a designated facility or where no Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form was completed in respect of the applicable traveller—

(1)in relation to a person who is ordinarily resident in the State, the home in which the person ordinarily resides or if the person does not have a home, such other premises (other than a designated facility), if any, at which he or she is currently residing, whether on a permanent or temporary basis

(2) in relation to a person who is not ordinarily resident in the State, the premises (other than a designated facility), in the State, if any, at which he or she is currently residing or intends to reside after arriving in the State, whether on a permanent or temporary basis;

So either where they put on the Passenger Locator Form, or if they did not complete a PLF then where they currently reside.

Now then. If a person from a country not on a list shows up without a negative test result:

(6) Where an applicable traveller who presents himself or herself in accordance with subsection (5)(b) is a person referred to in subsection
(1)(b)(ii) without the result of an RT-PCR test in accordance with the requirements of any regulations on the basis that the result shows that
Covid-19 or the virus SARS-CoV-2 is detected, he or she shall—

(a) as soon as practicable after his or her arrival in the designated facility be assessed by a registered medical practitioner who is a
medical officer of health, and
(b) where that officer is satisfied, having regard to all the circumstances, that the person can effectively isolate in his or her place of residence, be discharged from the facility.

Thanks for that. So just brief internment if you have somewhere else to go!

Del Griffith · 09-03-2021 1:08pm

Ireland will also be imprisoning the vaccinated.

"Travellers who are fully vaccinated will not be exempt from quarantining."

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/cabinet-expected-to-secure-quarantine-hotel-owners-from-any-covid-19-legal-cases-40176070.html

faceman · 09-03-2021 1:39pm

M_Murphy57 wrote: »

Is your family member from one of the red listed countries? Mandatory quarantine seems like a box ticking exercise so the govt can pretend they closed the border without actually closing it.

It only applies to a jumble of African and south American countries, the majority of which dont have direct flights here.

It doesnt apply to US, UK, EU and there is also a further exemption for anyone travelling for essential or "logistical" work eg food production, healthcare work etc .

Would your family member meet the criteria for exemption ?

Austria is on the list and if NPHET are monitoring variants as they claim, Finland could go on it too given the new strain there undetectable by PCR

Dermot224 wrote: »

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

I read somewhere that there will be repayment plan options for those who can't

caveat emptor · 09-03-2021 2:24pm

Dermot224 wrote: »

What happens if someone says they don't have the money to pay for their quarantine hotel?

What happens if someone can't afford a flight?

Supercell · 09-03-2021 3:10pm

People are coming here of their own free will knowing that they will have to stay in a hotel and fork out €2500, what's the problem? Hardly a prison if you are willingly walking in knowing you will have to fork out for your (luxury) stay, their choice to do so. Our government is finally doing what's right to protect the public, should have being doing this since last year.

Golfman64 · 09-03-2021 3:16pm

Del Griffith wrote: »

Ireland will also be imprisoning the vaccinated.

"Travellers who are fully vaccinated will not be exempt from quarantining."

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/cabinet-expected-to-secure-quarantine-hotel-owners-from-any-covid-19-legal-cases-40176070.html

So let me get this straight, a passenger from Austria with a negative PCR test and whom is fully vaccinated will be forced into a quarantine hotel whilst someone who tests positive for Covid-19 in Ireland is under no legal obligation to isolate either at home or in a managed facility?

I think we have reached peak incompetence and insanity in our management of this!

a_squirrelman · 09-03-2021 3:41pm

Golfman64 wrote: »

So let me get this straight, a passenger from Austria with a negative PCR test and whom is fully vaccinated will be forced into a quarantine hotel whilst someone who tests positive for Covid-19 in Ireland is under no legal obligation to isolate either at home or in a managed facility?

I think we have reached peak incompetence and insanity in our management of this!

Yep, and peak insanity from the public who have tunnel vision on this.

09-03-2021 3:57pm

Del Griffith wrote: »

Ireland will also be imprisoning the vaccinated.

"Travellers who are fully vaccinated will not be exempt from quarantining."

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/cabinet-expected-to-secure-quarantine-hotel-owners-from-any-covid-19-legal-cases-40176070.html

Yep. Irish citizen here, living abroad in one of the category 2 countries.

I am vaccinated and have a certificate from the UAE Ministry of Health which names my vaccine, the dates it was given, my DOB, full name, and my passport number.
I have an empty house in Ireland where I'd be very happy to quarantine.
And I am happy to do as many PCR tests as required.

That all counts for nothing.

So, if I need to travel to my own country, my government will confine me to a "facility", even if I am well. If I do a PCR test every single day while in the facility and all turn out negative, I will still need to stay there for 14 days, on pain of one month's imprisonment.

Due to Covid restrictions, my own country will also not grant a visa to my wife of nine years, who is the mother of two Irish citizens, both below 5 years old.

I feel utterly abandoned by the state. I have lost all trust in it. I've been a FG voter since 2002. I am beyond disgusted with FG -- Varadkar, McEntee, my local FG TD. Utter cowards. The former two won't even acknowledge my emails. The latter is too spineless to raise this in the form of a parliamentary question.

09-03-2021 4:11pm

Golfman64 wrote: »

I think we have reached peak incompetence and insanity in our management of this!

I believe it was Varadkar who smugly said "There is no limit" or words to that effect.

mickdw · 09-03-2021 4:16pm

BringBackMick wrote: »

Not even Hungary or Poland are implementing these such measures!

Cannot believe it was allowed go this far- it is blatantly against EU Law to imprison an EU citizen for visiting the state

Ah bull crap. Surely you can restrict movement for public health reasons. If so, then surely you can prevent such eu citizen from travelling to ireland or allow them to travel if they agree to stay in hotel for 14 days. This is not prison, they are coming by choice to the facility.

09-03-2021 4:22pm

mickdw wrote: »

Ah bull crap. Surely you can restrict movement for public health reasons. If so, then surely you can prevent such eu citizen from travelling to ireland or allow them to travel if they agree to stay in hotel for 14 days. This is not prison, they are coming by choice to the facility.

Nobody is going by choice to a facility. They are going to the facility because if they don't, they risk jail and a hefty fine.

Perhaps you mean they are traveling to Ireland by choice. Indeed, some people - including Irish citizens - may be traveling to Ireland by choice as is their blood right. Some may be traveling for other reasons -- such as to see their children or attend to a personal crisis; perhaps they lost their job abroad and have to return to their own country. Almost all of these people will be healthy and they will still be interned at great expense, all to appease the lowest common denominator of idiot.

a_squirrelman · 09-03-2021 4:27pm

mickdw wrote: »

Ah bull crap. Surely you can restrict movement for public health reasons. If so, then surely you can prevent such eu citizen from travelling to ireland or allow them to travel if they agree to stay in hotel for 14 days. This is not prison, they are coming by choice to the facility.

While I'm against mandatory hotel quarantine I think the posters saying it is illegal or against EU law are wrong.
I believe free movement can be halted on the grounds of a public health emergency, and the EU can do sweet FA about it.
Some countries had mandatory state quarantine a year ago, Slovakia specifically had it for around a month last March. But they quickly put a stop to it and made it mandatory quarantine at home.

Edit: The EU page I found on "Free movement of persons" says:
"Restrictions on the right of entry and the right of residence: Union citizens or members of their family may be expelled from the host Member State on grounds of public policy, public security or public health. Guarantees are provided to ensure that such decisions are not taken on economic grounds, comply with the proportionality principle and are based on personal conduct, among other considerations. "

So if you can be expelled I guess it can be said if you want to come you need to quarantine.

Oranage2 · 09-03-2021 4:48pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Yep. Irish citizen here, living abroad in one of the category 2 countries.

I am vaccinated and have a certificate from the UAE Ministry of Health which names my vaccine, the dates it was given, my DOB, full name, and my passport number.
I have an empty house in Ireland where I'd be very happy to quarantine.
And I am happy to do as many PCR tests as required.

That all counts for nothing.

So, if I need to travel to my own country, my government will confine me to a "facility", even if I am well. If I do a PCR test every single while in the facility and all turn out negative, I will still need to stay there for 14 days, on pain of one month's imprisonment.

Due to Covid restrictions, my own country will also not grant a visa to my wife of nine years, who is the mother of two Irish citizens, both below 5 years old.

I feel utterly abandoned by the state. I have lost all trust in it. I've been a FG voter since 2002. I am beyond disgusted with FG -- Varadkar, McEntee, my local FG TD. Utter cowards. The former two won't even acknowledge my emails. The latter is too spineless to raise this in the form of a parliamentary question.

I feel the same way as you though I'm not in a red zone country. It seems like a big money making scam by the government to line their mates pockets. I could understand them doing it a year ago as part of some strategy but It makes no sense now to do it when the vaccine is out.

09-03-2021 5:06pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

I feel the same way as you though I'm not in a red zone country. It seems like a big money making scam by the government to line their mates pockets. I could understand them doing it a year ago as part of some strategy but It makes no sense now to do it when the vaccine is out.

For me the money is the least bad part of it, though it is appalling.
The worst part of this, for me, is the destruction of civil liberties with hardly a protest made, and the terrible precedents that are being set. Covid will go away eventually, but politicians and civil servants will long remember the things they were able to get away with.

This will only get worse if far left parties come into power after the next election. SF and co. are hot for these restrictions because their whole ideology and instinct is collectivist and communal.

I honestly don't know where to turn politically for support. FG and FF are the makers of these awful policies. The backbench government TDs won't even raise concerns as parliamentary questions, for fear of the Whip.

The Opposition parties favor even more draconian restrictions.

In my constituency, the only Independent I could approach is someone who proudly promoted his view that armed soldiers should patrol the internment facilities to ensure obedience.

chinkaroo · 09-03-2021 5:20pm

I've read a lot of people saying that this will be useless as people will just fly to Belfast and drive into the Republic. What's the legalities around this? Would they face fines if caught ( other than being outside their 5k)

is_that_so · 09-03-2021 5:23pm

mickdw wrote: »

Ah bull crap. Surely you can restrict movement for public health reasons. If so, then surely you can prevent such eu citizen from travelling to ireland or allow them to travel if they agree to stay in hotel for 14 days. This is not prison, they are coming by choice to the facility.

Invoking the furriner excuse doesn't make it any more credible.

Randomly selecting a group of people deemed to be a risk to the State to be interned for 14 days is something that was done 50 years ago. That the defence forces are also involved completes the symbolism.

It would be beyond ironic to find someone on exiting said facility later testing positive from a community case!

Mandatory quarantine hotels - when and how much notice

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