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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Ian Mangan

The number of 'travel-related' Covid cases in the last two weeks amid Tenerife dentist uproar

There was a total of 68 travel-related cases Covid-19 in the last two weeks, figures from the HSE show.

Travel accounted for a total of 0.53% of coronavirus cases here in the period between February 2 and February 15, figures show.

The country was sent into a frenzy after it emerged that a cohort of Irish sunseekers were defying lockdown rules to jet off abroad.

And there was further uproar after it was revealed that many Irish people were able to get around lockdown rules by booking dentist appointments in the sunny spots and then not showing up.

A dental surgery in Tenerife previously said it is seeing an influx of Irish appointments who then don't show up at their booked time.

Non-essential travel oversees is a breach of the top level of Covid-19 regulations that limit people to exercising within five kilometres of their homes, except for travelling for work, education or other essential purposes.

Gardai man a Covid-19 Checkpoint at the entrance to Terminal 2, Dublin Airport (Collins Agency, Dublin)

Gardai have begun mounting checkpoints at Dublin Airport and other travel ports across the country with the aim of stopping anyone leaving the country who shouldn't be.

While passenger numbers are down 97% year-on-year, the government said two-thirds of Irish arrivals at airports are returning holidaymakers.

This week Cabinet signed off on legislation around the introduction of a mandatory hotel quarantine for incoming passengers into the country.

The legislation sets out a fine of €4,000, as well as a possible month in prison, for first-time offenders who do not adhere to the mandatory quarantine rules.

A second offence would see fines of up to €4,500 or three months in prison, or both. A third offence would see fines of up to €5,000 or six months in prison, or both.

Meanwhile a second offence would see fines of up to €4,500 or three months in prison, or both. A third offence would see fines of up to €5,000 or six months in prison, or both.

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