Ireland: Officials to tighten domestic COVID-19 measures from Dec. 20 /update 53

Event

Authorities will tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions from Dec. 20 amid rising cases attributed to the Omicron variant of the virus. Hospitality venues will close at 20:00 each day and capacity limits will be introduced for public and private events. The enhanced measures will remain in place until at least Jan. 30.

Domestic Measures

COVID-19 passes confirming the holder is vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 are necessary to access indoor catering, fitness, and leisure services and hotels. Restaurants may operate table service only with a maximum of six adults per table. Indoor events are limited to 50-percent capacity, while private gatherings are limited to four households. Facemasks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. Authorities advise everyone to work from home unless their presence is necessary on company premises. Details of domestic restrictions are available by clicking here.

International Entry Restrictions

All fully vaccinated travelers arriving via air or sea will need to present either a negative result from a PCR test taken within the past 72 hours or from an antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Travelers arriving without this requirement must self-isolate and take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival.

Authorities advise all travelers from the UK – other than those from Northern Ireland – to take daily antigen tests for five days, starting from the day of arrival; these individuals must self-isolate and take a PCR test if they test positive on their antigen test or develop symptoms. This measure is in addition to existing entry requirements for UK travelers.

Individuals who have spent any time in the previous 14 days in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe cannot enter Ireland. Exemptions are in place for Irish, EU, and UK citizens, diplomats, and transport workers. Permitted arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival and take a PCR test on days two and eight of their stays. Travelers may leave self-isolation on day 10 if both PCR tests are negative; if either test is positive, the individual must self-isolate for an additional 10 days from the test date.

All permitted arrivals must fill out a passenger locator form before travel; travelers arriving from Northern Ireland, UK, who have not visited other countries in the preceding 14 days are exempt from this, as well as the testing and isolation requirements. For details of international entry requirements, click here.

Irish authorities accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate as evidence of vaccination, recovery, or negative test.

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.

Resources

Passenger Locator Form
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Country Map