DUBLIN, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Ireland plans to introduce
coronavirus testing at airports as part of a possible
alternative to quarantine for some arriving passengers, although
it is not clear when the capacity will be ready, Health Minister
Stephen Donnelly said on Sunday.
Airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus have
heavily criticised the government for imposing some of the
strictest travel restrictions in Europe, with 14-day quarantines
advised for almost all incoming travellers.
Under an EU system to be signed off next week, travellers
from regions with extremely low levels of the virus will be
placed in a "green" category and allowed to travel without
restriction, but very few regions in Europe now qualify.
Other regions would be listed as "amber" or "red" with
governments to impose restrictions.
Health minister Stephen Donnelly said the default position
would be to require travellers from "red" and "amber" regions to
restrict their movements. But plans are being worked on by the
government for testing that could allow some passengers to avoid
quarantine.
Testing at airports "will happen because it is required as
part of the protocol," Donnelly said in an interview with RTE
radio, but he declined to specify a time-frame.
One option being considered would be to allow passengers
from some destinations to avoid a quarantine if they produce
negative tests taken three days before travelling. Others might
be required to take a second, rapid test before departing.
(Reporting by Conor Humphries
Editing by Peter Graff)