Mink farm workers in Co Donegal and their household contacts are to be tested for Covid following a mutation of the virus in Denmark.
There are three mink farms currently operating in Ireland, including one outside Glenties, but no mink have been imported this year.
The Department of Health has said this particular mutation of the virus has not, to date, been identified in Ireland.
However, it has confirmed that testing will be carried out for Covid-19 in each of the three farms.
The reason is “to see if the virus is present in Irish mink farms” as part of ongoing surveillance.
The Department also announced that the Health Service Executive will conduct serial testing of the mink farm workers and their household contacts.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon, Mr Ryan outlined that restrictions for those coming from Denmark will remain at the ‘Red’ Level, even if the country itself moves to either ‘Orange’ or ‘Green’ levels on the EU’s new traffic light travel system.
Mr Ryan said people coming and going from ‘Orange’ regions, will have to restrict their movements for two weeks, or have the option to avail of a PCR test 72 hours before travelling.
He said for those on the ‘Red’ list, which most countries are currently on, there will be a mechanism in place before the end of Level 5 where someone moving into Ireland can either restrict their movements, but also have the option of taking a PCR test here.
The Minister for Transport has confirmed that anyone arriving into Ireland from Denmark will have to restrict their movements for 14 days over concerns about a mutated strain of Covid-19 in mink that has spread to humans.
Eamon Ryan said there will be no exemptions to the measure, even for people travelling for essential purposes.
Tags: