Ireland: Authorities ease additional COVID-19 restrictions on domestic activities from June 7 /update 37

Ireland eases additional COVID-19 domestic restrictions from June 7; international entry controls remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Ireland have eased additional COVID-19 related domestic restrictions as of June 7. People may now entertain visitors from one other household while up to 25 people may attend wedding receptions. Gyms, swimming pools, and other leisure and fitness facilities are permitted to reopen. Catering facilities are permitted to reopen their outdoor spaces for groups of up to six people. Authorities previously allowed hotels to reopen from June 2. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Officials hope to ease further domestic restrictions from July 5.

International Entry Restrictions
All incoming travelers must complete a passenger locator form prior to arrival and possess a negative result from a PCR test taken within 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, and have not been abroad in the last 14 days are exempt from these requirements.

Travelers arriving from several countries 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. Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the US were removed from the list of designated states as of May 28; Afghanistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago will be added as of June 8.

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.