COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Ireland (25 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are permitted to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No, with exceptions

• A test is not mandatory on arrival. However, as of 29 November, travellers from red, orange and grey regions in the EU traffic light system will be allowed to end their quarantine measures if the travellers receive a negative PCR test result after a minimum of five days upon arrival in Ireland. This also applies to travellers from outside EU/EEA regions.

Test certificate required?

• No with exceptions

• A test certificate is not required for entry. However, travellers from countries that are listed under the “Orange” category under the EU traffic light system may avoid the 14-days of movement restrictions upon arriving in Ireland by providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours before arrival. The list of countries and their categories can be found here.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• All passengers, including Irish citizens (except for travellers from countries that are categorized as ‘Green’ under the EU traffic light system), are required to limit their movements for 14 days, specifically not to use public transportation, not to visit others, not to meet with anyone who is at high risk for COVID-19, and not to go into shops unless it is necessary.

• Travellers returning to Ireland from Northern Ireland, aircraft crew, ship crew and international transport workers do not need to limit their movements.

• Travellers from ‘Orange’ zone countries can avoid restricting their movements by providing a negative PCR test certificate issued within 3 days upon the arrival.

Insurance required?

• No

• Travel insurance to cover COVID-19 expenses is not required; however, it is highly recommended.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All incoming passengers must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The form may be used by the medical authorities to contact travellers to verify their location in the country and help in contact tracing if necessary. Travellers must fill in the form before arriving in Ireland. The form can be accessed here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• There is an app called “COVID Tracker”. The app will provide an alert if someone has been near a confirmed COVID-19 positive case. The app can be downloaded from here.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airports are open, and commercial passenger flights are operating.

• Ryanair will be suspending flight services from the regional Irish airports (including Ireland West airport, Shannon and Cork), except for Dublin airport until 12 December. The services will be suspended due to the complete collapse in travel demand. Ireland West Airport will also close during the same time period.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• All international borders are open, with no restrictions for travellers from green-list countries, under the EU traffic light system.

• Under the traffic light system, the countries will be classified into (Green, Orange and Red Zones), based on several epidemiological factors, including 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and the level of positive tests. The map will be updated weekly, every Thursday and can be accessed here.

• The government advises against non-essential foreign travel.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• People are advised to stay-at-home. There are penalties on movement over 5 km away from home, except for essential work and essential reasons.

Social distancing restrictions

• Significant

• The government published a plan for the next 6-9 months for ‘Living with COVID-19’. There are five levels of restrictions (Level 1 being the least restrictive phase and Level 5 being the most restrictive phase). The country moved to the most restrictive phase (Level 5) on 21 October for up to six weeks (until 1 December).

• People aged 70 or above are advised to limit or avoid social interactions. The physical distance of 2 meters must be maintained. Visits to nursing homes and care facilities are currently suspended, except for critical reasons.

• No visitors will be allowed at private homes or gardens, except for essential reasons. However, it will be possible to visit one other household in settings outside of homes or gardens, such as parks. No other gatherings are allowed.

• No training or exercise will be permitted, except for non-contact training for school-aged children, outdoors in pods of 15. Other training activities will be limited to individuals only.

• Work-from-home is recommended unless it is necessary to go into the workplace.

• The list of essential services during level 5 restrictions can be found here.

• The government will lift several restrictions after the end of the lockdown period. The country may move to level 3 restrictions, with some modifications.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Face masks are required on public transportation.

• Domestic travel is currently restricted, and people are required to limit travel to within the five-kilometre radius of their homes, except for essential purposes, including education, medical or family reasons, food, visiting a grave and essential work.

• Public transportation services are operating, but capacity is limited.

• The public is asked to avoid using public transportation unless travel is essential. The government encourages people to walk or cycle whenever possible.

Non-essential shops open?

• No

• Only essential retail and essential businesses and services will be allowed, including food shopping.

• The non-essential retail shops will remain after the end of the lockdown period.

Accommodations open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Hotels, B&B, and guest houses will be allowed to remain open, provided the services are limited to essentials only.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants will be allowed to operate for take-away and delivery services.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Cafes and bars/pubs serving food will be allowed to operate for take-away and delivery services. Wet pubs remain closed in Dublin. Night clubs, casinos, and discos remain closed.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• No

• Museums, galleries, and all other cultural attractions will remain closed.

• Museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions are expected to reopen after the lockdown period.

Personal care services open?

• No

• All personal care services are closed.

• Hairdressers and gyms will be allowed to reopen after the end of the lockdown period.

Places of worship open?

• No

• Religious services will be provided online.

Events allowed?

• No with exceptions

• No organized indoor or outdoor gatherings, which include business, events, conferences, or training events, will be permitted.

• Funerals can have up to 25 mourners. Weddings can have an attendance of up to 25 people.

• No matches or events, except for professional, inter-county, greyhound or horse racing and club championships will be permitted. The sports events that are exempted from the ban will only be allowed without spectators.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Use of face masks is mandatory in shops and various indoor establishments.

Other

• Libraries will be able to provide e-services.

• Gyms, leisure centres, and swimming pools are closed.

• Educational establishments, outdoor playgrounds, parks, and play areas remain open with safety and proactive measures. However, higher and adult education will be provided online, except for essential onsite activities.

Råd

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.