On Friday, July 16, it was confirmed that Ireland will be welcoming visitors from the US, EU, and some other countries on July 19. Does that mean you should plan a trip this year?
What you need to know before booking Ireland travel in 2021.
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Though it had been announced that Ireland was planning to ‘re-open- to international visitors on July 19, confirmation did not come until the afternoon of July 16.
Tourism Ireland, the organization responsible for promoting Ireland as a tourism destination, sent a press release immediately.
Read the full press release here
The press release I received was targeted to US citizens and, as the majority of my audience are US based, that is the information I am sharing today.
Click through to the show notes for links to information for other countries.
Rules for US Visitors to Ireland beginning July 19, 2021
For those who are fully vaccinated no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary.
The protocols for those who do not have valid proof of vaccination will mean those visitors need to:
- Present evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival into Ireland.
- Self-quarantine. (currently 14 days)
- Undergo post-arrival testing – this will be provided through the Health Service Executive in Ireland.
Ireland will be applying an ‘emergency brake’ mechanism that will be coordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of a variant of concern or variant of interest. In the event that this ‘emergency brake’ mechanism is applied to US visitors the requirements will change and more detail can be found on the Irish Government website.
Before arriving into Ireland, US visitors will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form The form will be checked prior to departure to Ireland by the relevant air carrier and visitors may be asked to provide the vaccination certificate indicated on their form. On arrival in Ireland, spot checks will be carried out on proof of vaccinations and negative RT-PCR tests as appropriate. Unfortunately, the introduction of these additional checks may cause some disruption to journeys and visitors may experience delays so visitors should give themselves extra time either side of departure and arrival.
From July 19th, children between the ages of 12 and 17, must have a negative RT-PCR test to travel into Ireland, even with fully vaccinated or recovered adults. Children under 12 do not need to take a RT-PCR test prior to travelling to Ireland. For any further changes please check the Irish Government website for the latest information.
It is important to note that only those fully vaccinated or with proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 6 months will be able to avail of indoor hospitality during their stay in Ireland. It is anticipated that this will apply from July 26th. Those staying in hotels can avail of the indoor hospitality options within the hotel.
Approved Vaccines
For the purposes of travel, you are considered vaccinated if you have been vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine, with recommended number of days after the final dose.
Current Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines (via the EMA)
- Comirnaty
- COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
- Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna)
- Vaxzervia (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZenica)
Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are not currently on the EMA approved vaccine list.
UPDATED Comirnaty was formerly known as the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID 19 vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being given in Ireland so both vaccines should be ok for arrival in Ireland.
What is the Emergency Brake?
The 'emergency brake' is designed to protect citizens against importation of a variant of concern or interest. It is designed to be enacted swiftly, which can change your travel plans over night.
If you have valid proof of vaccination, you will need to:
- present evidence of a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival
- undergo self-quarantine
- if you receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken from day 5 onwards after arrival into Ireland, you will be able to leave quarantine
If you have valid proof that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days, you will need to:
- present evidence of a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival
- undergo self-quarantine
- if you receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken from day 5 onwards after arrival into Ireland, you will be able to leave quarantine
If you do not have valid proof of vaccination or recovery, you will need to:
- present evidence of a negative RT-PCR test result taken in previous 72 hours before arrival
- undergo mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine
- if you receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken from day 10 onwards after arrival into Ireland, you will be able to leave quarantine
Visiting Northern Ireland after July 19, 2021
Northern Ireland is operating a system of green, red and amber countries and the measures in place will depend on the countries the visitor is travelling from or passing through. The US and Canada are both currently on the amber list of countries which means that if visitors are travelling to Northern Ireland, either directly or via another country including Ireland, they must:
- Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to three days before departure.
- Book post-arrival testing.
- Complete a UK passenger locator form either on arrival, or in the 48 hours before arrival.
- Self-isolate for 10 days. You can find further details on the Northern Ireland Government website.
One final note.
Mask mandates are still in full effect across Ireland, even if you are vaccinated.
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