From Saturday 16 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland are required to have a negative/’not detected’ result from a pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.

Arrivals from Great Britain and South Africa will continue to require a negative/’not detected’ result from a pre-departure Covid-19 PCR test AND must continue to isolate for 14 days, even if they take a second test after arrival.

Passengers may be asked to present evidence of their negative/’not detected’ result before boarding their airplane or ferry, and will be required to produce this evidence to Immigration Officers on arrival at points of entry to the State.

Passengers who arrive in an Irish Airport or Sea Port without evidence of a negative/’not detected’ Covid-19 PCR test result will commit an offence and may be subject to prosecution, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

Arrivals from red and grey list countries (as defined by the EU traffic light system), and all other locations outside of Europe, must continue to restrict their movements for 14 days. However this may be lifted on receipt of a negative/not detected result of a second PCR test taken no less than 5 days after arrival.

Arrivals from green and orange countries (as defined by the EU traffic light system) will not be required to restrict their movements on arrival but must adhere to the local public health guidance.

Checks will be made by the Border Management Unit at Dublin Airport and by An Garda Síochána at other points of entry.

Exemptions are limited to international transport workers, including hauliers, pilots and aviation crew, masters and maritime crew, and members of An Garda Síochána in the course of their duties. Children under six will also be exempt.

Passengers who arrive in Ireland solely for the purpose of travelling onwards to another state and do not leave the airport are also not required to provide evidence of a test.

If a citizen has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel, they should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate immediately for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey.

However we recommend that anyone considering travel to Ireland should consult the following Government website beforehand