Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): The Department advises that the SR adds the Azores, Madeira and Sweden to the list of countries exempt from the post-travel self-isolation and removes French Polynesia, Hungary, Portugal and Réunion from the list of exempted countries and territories. The Examiner of Statutory Rules has reported that the SR was laid in breach of the 21-day rule but that she is content with the Department's reason for that. The rule is subject to negative resolution. Do members have any further issues in regard to that?

Mr Carroll: I have a comment. I do not know whether we can make this a general rule, but I think that we got this SR two weeks ago or maybe a bit earlier, and, since then, my understanding is that the Swedish infection rate has rapidly increased. If I am correct, we are being asked to take a decision on the basis of what the infection rate was in Sweden two weeks ago, which has since shot up. For countries with a high rate of infection, it is important that we have the most up-to-date R rate possible. In effect, we could be endorsing people from Sweden not isolating, and there could be further restrictions in Stockholm and, I believe, other places. At best, that seems disjointed, if not worse. Can we relay that to the Department as well? I do not know how we stipulate that as a general rule, but, to be honest, it is jumping out at me.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): I think that I mentioned in relation to the previous SR that we need timely and accurate information, which, hopefully, will cover that, Gerry.

There are no other comments. I ask members to agree formally that the Committee for Health has considered SR 2020/194, the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (NI) 2020 and has no objection to the rule.