Ireland
Travel restrictions
From May 28th 2020, there is a legal requirement for passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas to complete a Public Health Passenger Locator Form, with penalties for non-compliance as detailed in the form.
On November 9th 2020, Ireland implemented the EU-wide “traffic light” system to regularize travel within the EU/international travel between member states. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control publishes a weekly map that assigns countries a red, orange, grey (denoting no information), or green rating based on an agreed set of criteria including COVID-19 infection rates. International arrivals from red and grey countries are advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
As of January 16th 2021, all travelers to Ireland will have to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
The Government of Ireland introduced a legal requirement to quarantine for 14 days for all travelers with very limited exceptions. This applies for all arrivals from February 4th 2021.
From March 26th, 2021, passengers arriving into Ireland from a list of designated high-risk countries must complete a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine. The 14-day quarantine period can be reduced if a negative COVID test is taken after ten days, or extended if a passenger tests positive during their stay.
Measures taken by the government
Health Service Executive (HSE) staff are present in the Dublin and Shannon airports to assist arriving passengers who have concerns related to COVID-19.
On May 1st 2020, the Irish government announced a five-phase roadmap for reopening Irish society and business:
- Phase 1 is expected to begin on May 18th, Ireland’s schools and pubs will remain closed, while some shops and outdoor cultural sites may reopen if social distancing requirements can be maintained.
- Sporting events, festivals, and gatherings of more than four people (unless from the same household) remain prohibited and are not expected to recommence until late summer 2020, at the earliest.
- Phase 2 of Ireland’s reopening plan started on June 8th, and many businesses are reopening where social distancing requirements and movement restrictions can be maintained.
- Phase 3 started on June 29th, with additional restrictions added on July 16th.
On September 15th 2020, the Government of Ireland announced its five-level plan for “Living with COVID-19” over the next six months. The plan sets out five different levels of restrictions that can be put in place across different counties depending on the level of COVID-19 in each area.
The Government of Ireland has placed the entire country on Level 5 for a period of six weeks effective at midnight on Wednesday, October 21st.
Masks or face coverings are now required on public transport. It is expected that the wearing of face coverings in most indoor settings will be made a legal requirement in the near future.
The Government of Ireland is also recommending for the first time that people wear masks outside where there is heavier foot traffic or crowds.
Effective December 30th 2020, the Government of Ireland has placed the entire country on Level 5 of its Living with COVID-19 plan, through at least April 5th, 2021.
The Government of Ireland is restricting travel within Ireland to within 5 kilometers of one’s home for the duration of the Level 5 lockdown, with limited exceptions for essential purposes.
Testing
While the Government of Ireland is not offering tests for the purposes of international travel, commercial testing facilities are available.? You can find additional information on commercially available COVID-19 testing locations in Ireland?here: https://ie.usembassy.gov/commercially-available-covid-19-testing/
Pre-departure testing is also available at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and Cork Airport.
The cost for a COVID-19 test through commercial suppliers typically range from €100 to €150 for RT-PCR tests.
Ireland’s public health service is at full capacity for COVID-19 tests and is prioritizing people who have symptoms. Most people will get their results within 2 days, but it can take longer.
Test results are sent by text message. If your test is positive, you will also receive a call.
Test results are given 7 days a week up until 9pm.
Call the?COVID-19 helpline if you are waiting more than 2 days (48 hours) for your results.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
If you are in Ireland and have symptoms, phone a doctor, or dial 112 or 999 locally.
If you are in Ireland and believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call the Irish Health Service Executive: 1 850 24 1850.
The Irish government has established a phone number for?COVID-19-related travel queries: +353 1613 1733.
Source:
US Embassy in Ireland https://ie.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on March 24th 2021 (checked on April 7th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx