Ireland Set Require Negative Covid Test for All Arrivals From Friday
Ireland Set Require Negative Covid Test for All Arrivals From Friday
(Bloomberg) -- Ireland will require all people arriving from abroad to provide a negative Covid-19 test from Friday, including those arriving from Great Britain.
Travelers arriving into Ireland must provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel or a negative antigen test taken no more than 48 hours ahead, the government said in an emailed statement. Unvaccinated people must provide a PCR test. The measure will be in place for at least two weeks and the government aims to remove it as soon as possible after that time if feasible, it added.
The move to require all arrivals to provide a test comes even though Ireland and the U.K. as a whole are part of the common travel area which allows passport free travel between those jurisdictions. The U.K. recently exempted Ireland from its own plan to require travelers to self-isolate and test negative for the coronavirus on arrival.
Ireland reinstated some virus restrictions this month amid surging case numbers, asking people to work from home, extending the use of vaccine passes and requiring bars and restaurants to close by midnight. The country would be facing a full lockdown if it weren’t for the state’s vaccination program, according to Prime Minister Micheal Martin. About 90% of over 12s are fully vaccinated and the government has widened a booster program to include all aged 16 and older.
The government also plans to reinstate powers to set up mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving from some countries, though it has not yet decided whether it will implement the measure. Children aged between nine and 12 will be recommended to wear masks, including at school, on a temporary basis to be reviewed in mid-February. Parents of those age 12 and younger should also minimize indoor socializing for the next two weeks.
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