Minister for Health announces changes to international travel requirements

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has signed regulations amending requirements for travel to Ireland. From today, Wednesday 22 December, the enhanced restrictions on persons arriving from the 7 high-risk ‘scheduled States’ will be lifted.

Since 29 November 2021, international arrivals to Ireland with a travel history in 1 of 7 high-risk countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe – had been required to present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test prior to arrival in Ireland and to complete post arrival testing and home quarantine.

All passengers arriving from overseas will now be subject to the same requirements for travel to Ireland. Overseas passengers to Ireland are required to show proof of a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result.

A passenger with proof of vaccination or recovery can show either a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours prior to arrival.

Only Rapid Antigen Tests which are listed on the common EU rapid antigen test list will be accepted and it must be carried out by a health professional or skilled testing personnel.

Passengers without proof of vaccination or recovery must show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Proof of a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result will be checked pre-departure and may be subject to checks on arrival.

Passengers to Ireland who arrive without a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result are required to home quarantine and take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival. A subsequent negative ('not detected') test result can enable the passenger to exit home quarantine. If no PCR test is taken the passenger must remain in home quarantine for 10 days after arrival.

In addition to the above, public health advice is that all arrivals from overseas should undertake daily rapid antigen testing for 5 consecutive days following arrival and to self-isolate and undertake PCR testing should they become symptomatic.

All travel measures are intended to be temporary and will be kept under constant review. As more information becomes available about the Omicron variant we will continue to adapt. To find out more, please visit gov.ie/travel.