Conditions for entry into Ireland: presentation of a negative COVID-19 test / 14-day isolation
EMERGENCY: NU (but due to the increase in the number of new cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, the Government has decided to tighten restrictions, which is equivalent to a total quarantine /full lockdown, at least on 05.04.2021 (Maximum level of restrictions - Level 5, provided for in the Government Plan "Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 ”, adopted in September 2020).
Starting with January 16, 2021, ALL people arriving in Ireland must present a PCR molecular test with negative result for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, performed with maximum 72 hours prior to entry into Ireland. At present, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) molecular test is the only type of test accepted by the Irish public health authorities.
The test must be presented both before boarding by air and sea and on arrival at Dublin airport.
PCR molecular test with negative result for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection
The following categories of persons are exempted from the mandatory measure of presentation of a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection: persons traveling from Northern Ireland, international transport workers, including carriers, crews of aircraft and ships, children aged under 6 years of age, as well as persons in transit to another state, provided that they do not leave the airport transit area.
Upon entry into Ireland, by air or sea, passengers are required to complete a location form (available online or distributed by the airline or ferry company I am traveling with). The correct and complete completion of the location form is mandatory. Providers of essential supply chain services, such as carriers, pilots and maritime personnel, as well as diplomatic personnel, are exempted from completing the form.
The obligation to quarantine at home has been introduced
Starting with February 4 2021, the obligation to quarantine at home of all persons arriving in Ireland from abroad has been introduced. Persons arriving in Ireland from abroad are required to complete the Location Form and submit to the quarantine measure for a period of 14 days at the declared address. People starting their journey to Ireland from Northern Ireland are exempt. The Irish police have been given powers to verify persons subject to quarantine.
The quarantine measure may be suspended earlier than 14 days if the person concerned presents a new test with a negative result for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, carried out from the fifth day.
All passengers arriving from Angola, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Republic of Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, without exception, must comply with the quarantine measure for a period of 14 days after arrival in Ireland and must undergo a test for SARS-CoV-2 infection 5 days after arrival. Even if the test result is negative, people are required to remain in quarantine until the expiration of the 14-day period of arrival.
Failure to comply with the quarantine regulations constitutes an offense
Failure to comply with the regulations regarding the quarantine measure is a crime and is punishable by a fine of 2.500 euros or imprisonment for up to 6 months. The person subject to the quarantine measure may leave the quarantine place for reasons considered urgent, to protect the health or well-being of a person or to leave the state.
At the same time, people subject to the quarantine measure can leave their home / residence to perform a PCR molecular test. If the result is negative / "undetectable", after the earliest 5 days after arrival, the quarantine period may end. Written confirmation of the negative result of this PCR molecular test must be kept for a period of at least 14 days.