AQW 17097/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 12/04/2021
Answered On Date: 01/06/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the scientific data upon which his statement that foreign holidays will not go ahead this summer is based.


Answer:
The Executive, when making decisions on restrictions, takes into account the scientific and medical evidence and also the impacts of the restrictions on the economy and society. The Executive weighs up the totality of the effect each restriction can have in combination with other restrictions in reducing the rate of infections of COVID-19. It is not always possible to disaggregate the precise impact on the rate of transmission of the virus in the community for each of the individual restrictions on their own.
Scientific evidence used by the Executive for decision making purposes is now publically available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-risk-assessment-methodology-to-inform-international-travel-traffic-light-system/risk-assessment-methodology-to-inform-international-travel-traffic-light-system
On 20 May the Executive agreed to the following list of countries being included on the green list from 24 May, without the need for people to quarantine on their return to Northern Ireland. The countries and territories are: Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Faroe Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Gibraltar, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Portugal, Israel, and Singapore.
People arriving from these destinations are required to undertake a pre-departure test and to complete a UK passenger locator form together with a mandatory day 2 test.
In addition those arriving from Portugal, Israel or Singapore will be requested to take a voluntary Day 8 PCR test, which will be provided free of charge. This will be kept under review.
Guidance for travelling both internationally and within the Common Travel Area during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/coronavirus-covid-19/travel-advice-and-guidance