COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Ireland (6 April 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, arriving without a certificate for a negative RT-PCR test or a valid exemption will be considered an offence. The traveller can be fined or imprisoned for up to 6 months. The traveller will also be required to take an RT-PCR test after arrival at their own expense. It is considered an offence not to take this test.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• All travellers arriving in Ireland (except Northern Ireland) will be required to provide a negative PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours before entering Ireland. More information can be found here.

• Children under six years of age, patients travelling for urgent medical reasons, and international transport workers (including workers in aviation, maritime, and road haulage sectors) are exempt from the COVID-19 test certificate requirement when they are travelling in the course of performing their duties.

• Passengers will be asked to present evidence of their negative or “not detected” test result before boarding a plane or ferry and to Immigration Officers on arrival at entry points.

Is transiting allowed

• Yes

• Passengers transiting through Ireland without leaving the airport are not required to provide evidence of a test result.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• A legal requirement to quarantine has been introduced for all travellers (except for travellers whose journey originates in Northern Ireland).

  (a) Travellers from all countries that are not considered high-risk countries (including travellers who travel from another country to Ireland and arrive via Northern Ireland) and who have a negative or “not detected” PCR test will be allowed to complete the 14-day quarantine at home or at the address specified on the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. More information and a list of exemptions to the quarantine can be found here. Travellers may leave quarantine to take an RT-PCR test no less than 5 days after arrival. If the traveller receives a written confirmation that the result of this test is negative or “not detected”, the period of quarantine can end. The traveller must retain the written confirmation of the test result for at least 14 days.

  (b) Travellers from any high-risk countries or travellers without a negative PCR test certificate will be required to complete a 14-day mandatory quarantine in a hotel. This requirement includes travellers who have been in a “high risk” country at any time in the 14 days before arriving in Ireland or travellers who have travelled through an airport or port in a “high risk” country. The 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine at a designated facility could be reduced if a passenger receives a not-detected result of a COVID-19 test that is taken after ten days. Quarantine may be extended if a passenger tests positive during their stay.

• Travellers may only leave their place of residence during the quarantine period for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature to protect a person’s health or welfare or to leave the State.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country. However, insurance coverage is highly recommended.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into Ireland.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All arriving passengers must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The medical authorities may use the form to contact travellers to verify their location in the country and help in contact tracing if necessary. Travellers must complete the form before arriving in Ireland. Essential service providers, such as maritime staff, pilots and hauliers, are exempt from completing the form. More information can be found here and here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The “COVID Tracker” provides an alert if someone has been near a confirmed COVID-19 positive case. The app can be downloaded here.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

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

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• All international borders are open.

• Under the traffic light system, countries will be classified into Green, Orange, Grey, and Red Zones based on epidemiological factors and may have varied entry restrictions. The map will be updated weekly every Thursday and can be accessed here.

• The government advises against non-essential foreign travel.

• There are restrictions on travel from South Africa, Brazil, and other South American countries, including suspension of visa-free short-term visits.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• Ireland is under level 5 restrictions. People are asked to stay at home, except for travel for essential purposes, or to exercise within 5km from home.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• The government published a plan for “Living with COVID-19”. There are five levels of restrictions, with Level 1 being the least restrictive phase and Level 5 being the most restrictive phase. The country is currently implementing Level 5 restrictions.

• Some restrictions will be eased from 12 April. The full list of restrictions can be found here.

• No social or family gatherings are permitted. No visitors are allowed in private homes or gardens except for essential family reasons such as providing care to the elderly, children, or vulnerable people, or as part of a support bubble. However, people may meet with people from one other household while outdoors during exercise.

• Those who have received the second dose of the vaccine more than two weeks ago can meet with other fully vaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying two metres apart.

• People aged 70 or above are advised to limit or avoid social interactions. The physical distance of 2 meters must be maintained.

• Work-from-home is recommended unless the presence at the workplace is essential.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Face masks are required on public transportation.

• People must stay at home except for travel for work, education, or other essential purposes and will only be permitted to exercise within five kilometres of home. The list of essential purposes can be found here.

• Public transportation services are operating with limited capacity.

• 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

• All retail, non-essential shops, and services are closed. Only essential retail shops are open.

• “Click and collect” services from non-essential retail outlets are not permitted after existing orders are fulfilled. “Click and deliver” services will continue.

Accommodations open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Hotels, B&B, and guest houses are open, provided the services are limited to essential, non-tourist, and non-social purposes.

• Hotel restaurants and bars are also open for takeaway and delivery only.

Restaurants open?

• No, with exceptions

• Restaurants can only open for delivery and takeaway services.

Bars and cafes open?

• No, with exceptions

• Cafes and bars/pubs serving food can only open for delivery and takeaway services. Wet pubs will be closed. Night clubs, casinos, and discos remain closed.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• No

• Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions are closed.

Personal care services open?

• No

• All services, including hairdressers, opticians, barbers, and beauticians, are closed.

Places of worship open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Places of worship will be allowed to remain open, only for private prayers.

• Religious services are provided online.

Events allowed?

• No, with exceptions

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

• Weddings can have up to 6 guests, and funerals can have up to 10 mourners.

• Outdoor tennis and golf are not allowed.

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

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Use of face masks is mandatory in all crowded areas, workplaces, shops, and other indoor establishments, as well as crowded outdoor spaces.

• Fines or six months of imprisonment may be imposed for individuals found violating Irish government restrictions, including for those not wearing masks.

Other

• Libraries will be able to provide e-services.

• On 12 April, in-person classes at schools will be allowed to begin. Higher education and adult education will continue to be provided online.

• Construction services are currently closed, with some exceptions.

• Outdoor playgrounds, parks, and play areas are open with public health measures.

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

• Dance and exercise classes are not permitted.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.