The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has confirmed new public health measures for people arriving to Ireland from Great Britain.
The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel. It is a legal requirement that all travellers to Ireland must have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before arrival to Ireland.
In addition, it is also a legal requirement that those from non-designated countries, including Great Britain, observe 14 days of Home Quarantine. This 14-day period of Home Quarantine can be shortened if you receive a not-detected RT-PCR test result 5 days after arrival.
This test is free of charge and can be booked in advance on www.gov.ie/test or by visiting any HSE testing centre, details of which are available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/covid-19-walk-in-test-centres.html. If you receive a not-detected RT-PCR test result after 5 days, you can then cease your period of home quarantine.
Those who travel from Great Britain, who are not fully vaccinated are now requested to remain in quarantine and seek a further test at least 10 days after arrival in Ireland, in addition to the day 5 test. This day 10 test is also free of charge.
You can get this test by visiting any HSE testing centre, details of which are available at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/covid-19-walk-in-test-centres.html. The HSE will shortly introduce a booking portal for the day 10 test as well.
Minister Donnelly said: “Once again this week, our collective response to COVID-19 has meant that the Government’s reopening plan has continued at pace. Our ability to reopen and, more importantly, remain open as a society depends on our continued adherence to the public health guidance.“