The Department of Transport has confirmed it has granted an exception to allow security officers who work for DAA, which operates Dublin and Cork airports, not to have to self-isolate if they are a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19.
The department has said this derogation was granted “subject to strict conditions” and was needed to “ensure the continued operation of the critical infrastructure and essential services which the airport provides”.
Passengers travelling over the period had to allow more time before their flight to allow for extra checks due to Covid-19.
The current HSE advice for close contacts of a confirmed case states that people who are fully vaccinated but have not yet received a booster to restrict their movements for 10 days. This advice is also the same for asymptomatic people who have not yet been vaccinated.
Those who have received their booster must restrict their movements for five days.
However, it is within the powers of the Secretaries General of government departments to allow exceptions to these requirements for those that work in the health and social health sectors subject to strict conditions.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said: “Derogations may only be applied in situations where all other efforts to backfill key positions have been exhausted and critical service areas or infrastructure are at risk.” The spokesperson said that in no circumstances should any worker who has tested positive or who has symptoms attend work.
