COVID-19 Information
March 27, 2020
Country-Specific Information:
· Ireland has confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
· To see recent U.S. Embassy Dublin Health alerts, go here.
· For additional current information go to the Irish government’s COVID-19 webpage.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
· Irish Health Authorities require anyone entering Ireland from abroad, except Northern Ireland, to either self-quarantine or self-isolate on arrival for 14 days. Exemptions are in place for providers of essential supply chain services such as haulers, pilots, and maritime staff. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. There are no restrictions on flights from the United States to Ireland although the number of available flights is significantly diminished. As of March 26, Aer Lingus will be the only carrier flying to the United States from Ireland, with limited service from Dublin to Boston, Chicago, and New York. Ireland has implemented travel restrictions for individuals entering from China, Iran, Italy, and Spain. Health Service Executive (HSE) staff are present in at the Dublin and Shannon airports to assist arriving passengers who have concerns related to COVID-19. If you are in Ireland and have symptoms, phone a doctor, or dial 112 or 999 locally. If someone tests positive for the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) will isolate and treat the individual.
Quarantine Information:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html
https://www.gov.ie/en/news/7e0924-latest-updates-on-covid-19-coronavirus/
https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Speech_of_Taoiseach_Leo_Varadkar_27_March_2020.html
The Government of Ireland announced significant measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus including the closure of all schools at all levels (including childcare facilities), museums, galleries, tourism sites, pubs, bars, non-essential retail outlets, theatres, and gyms. All cafes and restaurants are limited to take away food or delivery. This directive is currently in place until at least April 19, 2020 and may extend beyond this date. On March 27, the government added further restrictions to movement that will remain in place until Sunday, April 12. Under the new restrictions, everyone must stay at home in all circumstances, except for vital movements to and from essential work, for family care, to attend medical appointments, or to shop for food and household goods. There should be no social gatherings of any kind outside of a single household. Brief individual physical exercise within a two kilometer radius of one’s house is permitted, which may include children from the household, following strict two meter physical distancing guidelines. The Irish government requests that people telework as much as possible and practice social distancing. Please visit the Irish Department of health’s website as listed below for updated information. The Irish government advises against all non-essential travel overseas from Ireland, including to the UK, until at least April 19.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
Local Resources:
· https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
· https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
· https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus/
Other links:
· COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
· https://travel.state.gov/ Country Information and Travel Advisory page
