Ireland: Authorities to ease domestic COVID-19 restrictions starting April 12 /update 31

Ireland to ease domestic COVID-19 measures from April 12. International entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Ireland plan to ease certain COVID-19-related domestic restrictions from April 12. Under the new measures, the current directive restricting travel by residents to within 5 km (3 miles) of their homes will expanded to allow county-wide travel; travel across county lines will also be permitted up to 20 km (12 miles) from the individual's home. In addition, outdoor social gatherings will be allowed for up to two households.

Aside from the above, the following directives will remain in place:

Residents are not allowed visitors except for essential family reasons.
Individuals must remain at home, except for work, exercise, or performing essential tasks, such as seeking healthcare services or attending to family emergencies. Working from home is required whenever possible.
Restaurants and pubs must remain closed.
Nonessential retail outlets and personal services such as hairdressers, along with gyms and swimming pools, are still closed, as are all cultural institutions.
Family gatherings are suspended. Funerals and weddings are limited to 10 and six attendees, respectively.
Public transport capacity is limited to 25 percent; residents are advised to use public transport only for essential purposes.
Nightclubs, casinos, and similar venues remain closed.
Facemasks are required in indoor public places and crowded outdoor public places.

International entry restrictions
All incoming travelers must complete a passenger locator form prior to arrival and possess a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to travel. Additionally, all travelers must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival; however, persons arriving from lower-risk (non-Category-2) countries may end their quarantine periods early by taking a COVID-19 test confirming a negative result no less than five days after arrival. Essential transport workers, individuals in transit, and travelers whose journeys originate in Northern Ireland, UK, are exempt from these requirements.

Travelers arriving from high-risk ("Category 2") countries or who are not in possession of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test must quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated hotel. The isolation period may be extended for up to 10 days for travelers who test positive for COVID-19 during quarantine. The daily rate for the quarantine will be EUR 150 (USD 178).

As of March 30, high-risk/Category-2 countries include Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Eswatini, French Guiana, Guyana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Authorities could reintroduce, extend, or otherwise amend restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.