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Original poster

Can nursery require quarantine beyond govt rules?

117 replies

GrinchTastic · 01/08/2020 22:16

Just that really - we are going to Ireland, which has never been subject to any quarantine restrictions as it is in a Common Travel Area with the UK, and isn’t part of any air bridges or anything like that. Nursery said yesterday they are asking parents to quarantine for 14 days when returning from “overseas”. I wonder if they haven’t realised that Ireland is in a different boat to Greece/Germany/Italy etc by virtue of the CTA.

We’re also sailing into Northern Ireland, but back from Dublin.

Just wondering what the position is, or if anyone can offer any advice.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:22

Hopeful bump

OP posts:
IrishMamaMia · 02/08/2020 08:27

I would send them the government guidance that says you don't need to quarantine coming back from Ireland?

Fairybio · 02/08/2020 08:35

If you check the government website, Ireland is considered international travel. Also, you have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in Ireland from UK anyway.

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Childcare & nursery General health
PatriciaHolm · 02/08/2020 08:39

The CTA isn't really relevant - Ireland are actually requiring all travellers, including those arriving from Britain, to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive, so the argument that a CTA means no quarantine doesn't really fly! (With exception for those arriving from NI).

The relevant information is that currently the UK doesn't require quarantine for those arriving from Ireland.

Is it a private nursery?

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:41

Ireland isn’t considered international travel - it’s part of the Common Travel Area. You don’t even require a passport to travel from U.K. into Ireland and vice versa.

And yes I know about quarantining in Ireland when arriving from the U.K.; we have factored that into our trip.

There are no quarantine requirements coming the other way, which is why I am wondering if the nursery can impose restrictions on travel beyond govt guidelines.

OP posts:
WingingWonder · 02/08/2020 08:43

I didn’t think you could go to Ireland atm as they were only allowing perm residents in? (Assuming you’re not?)

Kassandra1 · 02/08/2020 08:43

I'm pretty sure the nursery can have whatever policy they like? Arent they able to refuse service to anyone?

ineedaholidaynow · 02/08/2020 08:44

Would you prefer the nursery to stay open as much as it can over the next few months and you just have to suck up the 2 weeks of quarantine or would you prefer the nursery wasn’t so strict and be closing every few weeks whenever it gets a positive test result?

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:44

the argument that a CTA means no quarantine doesn't really fly!

But that’s how the U.K. govt have explained the lack of quarantine rules for Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man - because of the CTA.

Yes it is a private nursery.

Maybe we will just change our travel plans to sail back from Belfast in that case, because I am not prepared to keep my D.C. at home for a further 2 weeks.

OP posts:
Heygirlheyboy · 02/08/2020 08:45

I hope you're quarantining on arrival in Ireland, as you are being asked to do this.

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:46

I didn’t think you could go to Ireland atm as they were only allowing perm residents in? (Assuming you’re not?)

No, you can travel to Ireland - if you come in from a country not on the “green list” (and not from NI) you have to quarantine/observe restricted movements for 2 weeks, which is what we are doing.

OP posts:
CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 02/08/2020 08:47

@Kassandra1

I'm pretty sure the nursery can have whatever policy they like? Arent they able to refuse service to anyone?
Yes, presumably they'd then be in breach of their own contract then
IrishMamaMia · 02/08/2020 08:47

OP Ireland is defioon the list of countries that you don't have to isolate from :
www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
Their numbers are considerably lower than ours and I would consider the way you are travelling to be quite low risk.
Have a discussion with the nursery as they may not be aware of this? People without links to Ireland are often unaware that we have special arrangements between our countries. Enjoy your trip, I'm going home to Ireland soon too. Our nursery do not have this restriction AFAIK.

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 02/08/2020 08:48

@GrinchTastic

the argument that a CTA means no quarantine doesn't really fly!

But that’s how the U.K. govt have explained the lack of quarantine rules for Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man - because of the CTA.

Yes it is a private nursery.

Maybe we will just change our travel plans to sail back from Belfast in that case, because I am not prepared to keep my D.C. at home for a further 2 weeks.

Do they know you're going to Ireland first?
insancerre · 02/08/2020 08:48

The nursery can impose any conditions it likes
They don’t have to accept any child if they choose not to

flowerpower32 · 02/08/2020 08:52

I would be unhappy if a nursery did this. Seems ill informed and is based presumably on someone’s opinion or gut feeling. Not great when you need childcare in place. Government advice would seem the sensible measure.

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:53

Do they know you're going to Ireland first?

We’re going to both parts of Ireland.

OP posts:
FelicityPike · 02/08/2020 08:57

I think the nursery is absolutely right here.

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 08:59

Why, Felicity? Do you think people coming back from Wales should have to quarantine for 2 weeks as well?

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Heygirlheyboy · 02/08/2020 09:02

Thanks for quarantining in Ireland op. Unfortunately for you, a business can do as they please, and as your chance of getting it here is much lower than in the UK I can understand why you feel it's unfair as well as the gvt advice on it. Perhaps worth appealing.

ineedaholidaynow · 02/08/2020 09:15

Maybe they are asking people to quarantine wherever they have been

FelicityPike · 02/08/2020 09:56

@GrinchTastic

Why, Felicity? Do you think people coming back from Wales should have to quarantine for 2 weeks as well?
Actually yes I do. I think anyone who is selfish enough to leave their country of residence should be forced to quarantine.
zigaziga · 02/08/2020 10:00

I think nurseries can pretty much do what they want. There were loads of times that my son was sent home ill when I would have said he was fine. Other times I didn’t feel comfortable taking him when they would probably have said there was no problem.

If you really refuse to quarantine him I guess just say you’ve been to NI which is obviously part of the UK.. I doubt they’d argue with you.

Original poster
GrinchTastic · 02/08/2020 10:07

You have no idea of our reasons for travel, Felicity Hmm

Perhaps it’s easy for you to throw around words like “selfish”. Do you live close to your family? Have you seen them in the last 8 months? Are you likely to be able to see them before the end of the year?

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Bluntness100 · 02/08/2020 10:09

Yes they can do this because f the risk of illness. They are protecting the other kids and the staff.