Ireland could randomly test tourists from high-risk countries for Covid-19

Ireland may start random testing visitors for Covid-19 if they come from countries where the disease is deemed not under control. Leo Varadkar, the tánaiste (deputy prime minister), said Tuesday the government was considering introducing the tests as the country, which has largely suppressed community transmission, experiences growing concern that imported cases could trigger a second wave. Varadkar said any testing would be for people coming from countries not on Dublin’s “green list” of countries deemed to have the pandemic largely under control. The list – due to published next week – will specify which countries people can travel to and from without restrictions. Currently visitors from all countries are supposed to quarantine for 14 days, one the strictest regimes in the European Union. Some opposition politicians and public health experts have called for Ireland to send a message that tourists are not welcome for now and that anybody who does visit will be tested and subject to strict quarantine, with violations punishable by jail. The government said it will not go that far. Varadkar ruled out mandatory testing as legally unsound and problematic and cited quarantine hotels in Australia which ended up hosting clusters and becoming sources of infection.<br/>