Cabinet has reportedly agreed on new rules regarding travel restrictions and those travelling to Ireland from red-listed countries.
Due to come into effect on midnight November 29th, the new rules will mean that travellers coming into Ireland from red-listed countries will be required to self isolate for a period of at least five days. After which they will be free to move around as normal – providing they have a negative PCR test result.
Cabinet has agreed that from midnight Nov 29th people travelling to Ireland from red listed countries will have to isolate for at least 5 days. If they then have a negative PCR test they are free to move around rather than doing 2 full weeks of isolation
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 10, 2020
It’s believed that tests would not be offered through the HSE, however, and would need to be organised privately. Thought to be a workaround for Christmas travel, the new guidelines would cut down on the amount of time travellers would have to spend quarantining upon entering the country.
Newstalk reports that Minister for International Travel, Hildegarde Naughten agreed to the new rules. Detailing what exactly new measures will entail, she explained:
“From the 29th of November, anyone travelling from a red country… you have to restrict your movements for 14 days when you enter Ireland. After five days, you can take a PCR test. If you have a negative test, you don’t have to restrict your movements.”
Visitors from orange list countries are encouraged to take a PCR test three days prior to their flight as doing so would exempt them from having to restrict their movements. Anyone who opts against this will have to limit their interactions for a period of two weeks.
Passengers arriving into Ireland from green list countries are not required to restrict their movements.
Header image via Shutterstock