Added restrictions for British visitors

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD confirmed the measures yesterday evening.

In a potential blow to hopes for an additional boost to the local tourist industry this summer, fresh public health measures has been introduced for people arriving to Ireland from Britain.

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD confirmed the measures yesterday evening.

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 now 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 five days after arrival. This test is free of charge and can be booked in advance.

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 five test. This day 10 test is also free of charge.

The HSE has also put enhanced contact tracing measures in place for all detected positive cases of COVID-19 with a travel history extending back 14 days and their close contacts.

Enhanced public health measures and investigations are also being implemented from all positive detections upon notification of a “probable” result to ensure that all efforts to trace and contain transmission for any case which has a suspicion of being a variant of concern are taken.

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.”

He added that variants of concern continue to pose significant risks to public health and there is a specific concern around the Delta variant, cases of which are on the rise in England.

“Non-essential travel should continue to be avoided, however, if you must travel to Ireland from Great Britain then you should follow the public health advice relating to home quarantine and you are advised to avail of the free day 5 and day 10 PCR testing,” the Minister added.