Two women have been arrested in Ireland after they refused to go into hotel quarantine following a trip to Dubai.
Niamh Mulreany, 25, and Kristie McGrath, 30, had flown to the UAE to undergo cosmetic surgery, despite rules in Ireland that allow only 'essential travel'.
The friends were arrested at Dublin Airport on Friday after claiming they had run out of money and could not pay for mandatory hotel quarantine.
Under Ireland's strict Covid-19 rules, arrivals are required to stay in hotel quarantine for 12 days if they have travelled to specific countries.
Anyone caught breaking these regulations can be fined €2,000 ($2,350), with a maximum sentence of up to one month in jail.
According to reports, the women had initially been denied boarding at Dubai airport after revealing they did not have the €1,850 needed to pay for quarantine in Dublin.
They then spent two days in Dubai airport and the nearby area, before Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs granted their request to return.
It was their second visit to the Middle East in just a few weeks.
The pair were charged with breaking the Health Act and appeared in court in the Irish capital on Saturday, reports the Irish Independent.
In court, it was heard the women had been in Dubai to undergo cosmetic treatment at a Dubai clinic.
A lawyer for the women said his clients did not have funds for the quarantine stay, but had provided three negative tests to authorities. The legal representative also applied for bail and said the women had caring duties for their children at home.
A judge granted their bail application but ordered money in their bank accounts to be frozen and passports surrendered.
The judge ordered the women to serve out the 14-day quarantine period from Tuesday once the bail money is paid. They will be allowed to return home if they complete the full quarantine period, or can provide a negative test after 10 days.
Their cases will resume on April 9 at Dublin District Court.
Covid-19 around the world
-
Members of the Bamburgh Croquet club play a game, following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Northumberland, England. Reuters -
A Buddhist monk is inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. AFP -
A visitor walks with a dog past signs for social distancing on benches during the Interpets fair for pet products in Tokyo, Japan. AFP -
Medical staff transfer a patient in Bretonneau Hospital, in Tours, amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in France. AFP -
Palestinians walk in the street after the authorities tightened Covid-19 restrictions in Gaza City. EPA -
A man prays outside a church closed due to Covid-19 lockdown measures, during Holy Week commemorations, in Santiago, Chile. Reuters -
A health worker arrives by canoe to administer Covid-19 vaccines to residents in Anama, Amazonas state, Brazil. Reuters -
Mannequins wrapped in warning tape, part of the Covid-19 memorial art installation 'It is Like it is,' stand next to the world time clock on Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany. EPA -
People pray at Mother Teresa's Mother House on Good Friday in Kolkata, eastern India. EPA
