FROM Monday 19th July 2021, new rules and advice on international travel will come into effect in Ireland and it will be possible to travel internationally.
This represents another milestone on our road through recovery. However, Covid-19 still presents a threat with the Delta variant resulting in significantly increased case numbers. The vaccination programme is well advanced and this week we have started to offer the vaccine to those aged 25-29.
From Monday it will be possible to travel to Ireland from countries within the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, with no requirement to quarantine if you have valid proof of: being fully vaccinated, having recovered from Covid-19 or have had a negative PCR test not more than 72 hours prior to arrival.
However, if you are not vaccinated, the public health advice is that you avoid high risk activities – this includes international travel.
Travellers coming from other countries, including Great Britain, will not have to quarantine if they have valid proof that: they are fully vaccinated, or recovered from Covid 19. Those who travel on the basis of a negative PCR test will have to self-quarantine quarantine, this can be ended if they receive a second negative PCR test taken from day 5 onwards.
Passengers arriving into Ireland/returning to Ireland must fill out a Passenger Locator Form before departure.
From 19 July, children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country, unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery.
Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post arrival. However, where one accompanying adult needs to self-quarantine, then all children must also self-quarantine.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, and in particular the prevalence of the Delta variant, travel continues to carry an element of risk and travel rules are subject to change at very short notice, including the potential application of the “emergency brake” mechanism (See notes for editors and gov.ie/travel for full travel rules and guidance).
If you are planning to travel it is important to first check the entry rules of the country you are going to – destinations will have different rules in place.
From Monday, Ireland will operate the EU Digital Covid Certificate. The certificate is not a pre-requisite for travelling but will make it easier to travel safely in Europe, serving as valid proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid or that you have had a negative test.
To date, over 1.1 million certificates have been emailed to people and over 600,000 have been posted. A helpline is operational from Monday to assist with issues regarding the certificate and to request a recovery certificate – the helpline number is 1800 851 504.
For full details on international travel see gov.ie/travel
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