Ireland: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions on domestic activities starting May 10 /update 35

Ireland to ease COVID-19 domestic restrictions from May 10. International entry controls remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Ireland plan to ease the nation's COVID-19-related domestic restrictions. Starting May 10, the following will apply:

Individuals may travel throughout the country without restrictions.
Close-contact services, such as beauty salons and barbershops, may reopen.
Libraries, museums, and galleries may reopen.
Non-essential retail businesses may reopen for click-and-collect services.
Up to 50 people may attend religious services, including weddings and funerals.
Small organized outdoor gatherings are permitted for up to 15 people.
Up to three households, or a group of six people, may meet socially outdoors, including in private gardens. Vaccinated persons may meet with unvaccinated individuals indoors.
Public transport will operate at 50 percent capacity.

Starting May 17, all shops will be allowed to reopen. However, the following directives will remain in place:

Working from home is required whenever possible.
Restaurants and pubs must remain closed.
Gyms and swimming pools remain closed.
Facemasks are required in indoor public places and crowded outdoor public places.

International Entry Restrictions
Ireland's restrictions on international travel remain largely unchanged. All incoming travelers must complete a passenger locator form prior to arrival and possess a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the 72 hours prior to travel. Additionally, all travelers must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, though those from lower-risk 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 several countries, including but not limited to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, South Africa, Turkey, UAE, and the US must quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated hotel. The hotel must be booked in advance of travel. For a full list of countries impacted by this mandate, click here.

The isolation period may be extended for up to 10 days for travelers who test positive for COVID-19 during quarantine. The same measure applies to travelers from any other country who are not in possession of a negative PCR test. The daily rate for the quarantine is EUR 150 (USD 178).

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.