ALL TRAVELLERS wishing to enter Ireland will need to show a negative Covid-19 test under new plans being discussed by the Government.
The scheme will first apply to people arriving from Britain and South Africa, but will then be extended to visitors from all countries, according to reports.
In December, Ireland introduced a strict travel ban from both Britain and South Africa due to concerns surrounding new, more infectious strains of the virus detected in those countries; this ban was due to expire today but will be extended until 8 January, RTÉ News reports.
When the ban is lifted, passengers from the two countries will need to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure date in order for them to be allowed into Ireland, but will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival.
21/12/2020 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 271 since start of lockdown. Passengers wearing face masks beside covid hand sanitiser signs in an empty Dublin Airport Photo Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ieWhile a negative test will be required from passengers from Britain and South Africa from this Saturday, the requirement will be extended to passengers from all countries in the future, RTÉ reports, however this will take more time to implement.
Passengers will have to show their negative test result when boarding, but airlines will not police the findings, rather they will advise passengers that their test result will be inspected once they land in Ireland, The Journal reports.
Anyone who fails to produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours faces a fine or detention once they arrive in Ireland.
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