Public servants must use leave to quarantine if going overseas

The new travel guidance will impact on more than 330,000 staff working across public services, including education, defence, health and policing. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

More than 330,000 public servants have been directed to use annual leave or take unpaid leave to self-isolate for two weeks if they take non-essential trips overseas.

Today the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) issued new guidance to civil and public service staff directing that they advise their employer of any planned travel.