Ireland still has quarantine rules for UK travellers but plans to reopen to visitors from the EU and the US from July 19, the country’s Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said.
Mr Varadkar said that Ireland was “not in a position” to restore the Common Travel Area with Britain for now.
Anyone travelling from the UK to Ireland must enter quarantine for 14 days. They can be released early if they secure a negative Covid-19 test on their fifth day of quarantine.
Mr Varadkar postponed restoration of the Common Travel area following advice from National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). “The advice that we have is that there are real concerns about the prevalence of the Indian variant in Britain”, he said.
“It’s now the dominant variant in Britain – over 50 per cent of cases appear to be this B1617 variant. That’s something we’re concerned about, and, for that reason, we’re not in a position to restore the Common Travel Area just yet.”
At present, the restrictions are broadly one-way. People from England, Scotland and Wales travelling for non-essential reasons face a tranche of testing and quarantine restrictions on arrival in Ireland. On their return to the UK, however, there are none.
The Foreign Office explains: “You do not need to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine on arrival in England if you are travelling within the UK , Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, (the Common Travel Area), and you have not been outside of the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days.”
Travellers are also likely to avoid queues that they might be expected to face returning from other European destinations, as they will not be required to provide passenger locator forms or documentation other than passport or driving licences to cross the borders.
Below we lay out the rules regarding testing, quarantine, and passenger locator forms on arrival in Ireland from the UK.
How are cases looking in Ireland?
The current case rate per 100,000 on a seven-day average is 67.2. In the UK that number is 302 per 100,000.
How is the vaccination drive going in Ireland?
As of July 9, 68.9 per cent of the population have received a first dose and 48 per cent have received a second dose. In the UK, 86.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose and 64.9 per cent have received a second dose.
Do I need to take a test before I travel to Ireland?
Yes. The FCDO says: “All passengers arriving at Irish ports and airports are required to have evidence of a negative/‘not detected’ test from a pre-departure Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. Antigen or other test types do not meet the requirement.”
Failure to present evidence of a negative test result could result in a fine of €2,500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. You will also need to undertake a mandatory hotel quarantine at your own expense. This does not apply to arrivals from Northern Ireland.
Do I need to fill a Passenger Locator Form in Ireland?
Yes. All arrivals must complete a Passenger Locator Form in advance of arriving in Ireland. You can find the form, here. This includes information on your recent travel history and the accommodation where you will spend your 14-day quarantine.
Do I need to quarantine on arrival in Ireland?
Yes. Anyone who has been overseas (and this includes England, Scotland and Wales) must enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine. However, in a scheme similar to the UK’s Test to Release you can end your quarantine if you take a test five days after arrival and receive a negative result. You will need to carry proof of your negative result until 14 days after arrival in Ireland.
St Colman’s Cathedral and Cobh harbour
Credit: Walter Bibikow/Digital Vision
What if I fly into Northern Ireland and then drive into Ireland?
You still need to fill a Passenger Locator Form and enter a 14-day quarantine at the stated accommodation.
Do I need to take a test before returning from Ireland to the UK?
No. You do not need to take a test 72 hours before your flight or ferry home, if you began your journey in Ireland.
Do I need to self-isolate on my return home to the UK?
No. The FCDO says: “You do not need to take a Covid-19 test or quarantine on arrival in England if you are travelling within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, (the Common Travel Area), and you have not been outside of the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days.”
Do I need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form on return to the UK?
No. The same applies for the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man
Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions
Credit: David Maurer/Getty
When will restriction-free travel between the UK and Ireland resume?
From July 19, fully vaccinated British travellers will be able to travel to amber countries, such as Ireland, without the need to quarantine on return.
What are Covid restrictions like in Ireland?
Pubs and restaurants are open outdoors, while restrictions remain on capacity for events. Nightclubs remain closed.
The Irish government recommends that face coverings are worn in crowded workplaces, places of worship and in busy or crowded outdoor spaces where there is significant congregation
Am I still covered by travel insurance, if I do visit Ireland?
The FCDO does not advise against all but essential travel to Ireland, meaning your travel insurance should still be valid. Always check the terms and conditions of your policy before you travel.
Are flights to Ireland operating?
Yes. But not many. British Airways is listing direct services from Heathrow to both Cork and Dublin, and Ryanair has flights from Stansted to Dublin.
What about Northern Ireland?
Since May 24, you have been able to go to Northern Ireland from the Common Travel Area (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Isles and Isle of Man) without restriction. You can find out more information here.