Date: 8 April 2021
Unprecedented efforts are under way to safeguard public health and limit the spread of COVID-19 on the island of Ireland. The authorities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland advise against all non-essential travel until further notice. Tourism Ireland continues to monitor the situation closely.
Republic of Ireland
All passengers arriving in Ireland are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (PLF). All passengers are also required to have a negative/‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test (only this kind of test is acceptable), taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. Passengers will be asked to present evidence of their negative/‘not detected’ result before boarding their airplane or ferry; and will be required to produce this evidence to immigration officers on arrival at points of entry to the State. Children aged six and under are exempt from this requirement.
On 4 February 2021, a legal requirement to home quarantine was introduced for all passengers arriving in Ireland. Only very limited categories of passengers can be exempt from this legal requirement.
Additional requirements have been agreed regarding a number of countries and territories designated as ‘Category 2’. Click here to view ‘Category 2’ countries/territories. From 26 March 2021, any passenger who has been in any ‘Category 2’ country in the previous 14 days, even if only transiting through one of the countries, and even if remaining airside, is legally required to quarantine at a designated facility (Mandatory Hotel Quarantine). Passengers required to undertake Mandatory Hotel Quarantine must pre-book a place in the designated facility prior to arrival to Ireland. Passengers will be required to present evidence of this booking to their flight or ferry operator, in order to board the airplane or ferry to Ireland. Bookings are open and can be made at: www.quarantinehotelsireland.ie. Additional information on Mandatory Hotel Quarantine, including information about costs, is available at: www.gov.ie/quarantine
Northern Ireland
All passengers arriving in Northern Ireland must complete a full 10-day period of self-isolation. More information can be found here. Passengers must also provide their journey details before they travel, by completing a UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
If people arrive in Northern Ireland having travelled through the Republic of Ireland, they must complete a UK passenger locator form. This is in addition to travel information they may be required to provide to travel authorities in the Republic of Ireland.
If you’re concerned about how the situation will affect your travel plans, we recommend that you check with your airline, tour operator, cruise line or transport and accommodation providers.
We suggest that tourism businesses on the island of Ireland looking for information about COVID-19 and its impact on travel go to the relevant sections on the websites of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI. Up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19 in Northern Ireland can be found on the website of the official Public Health Agency Northern Ireland. Information and support in the Republic of Ireland can be found on the website of the Health Service Executive. For the latest travel advice, please visit the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
Source: www.tourismireland.com
