Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Dublin, Ireland June 16, 2020
Location: Ireland
Event: COVID-19
The Irish Health Service Executive confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
To see recent U.S. Embassy Health alerts, go here.
For additional current information go to the Irish government’s COVID-19 webpage.
Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. Transatlantic flights continue from Dublin, but schedule changes and restrictions mean options for returning to the USA from Ireland are extremely limited. If you plan to travel, we recommend you do so now unless you are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States from Ireland are urged to work directly with their airlines to make travel arrangements. Aer Lingus is the only carrier flying to the United States from Ireland with limited service from Dublin to Boston, Chicago, and New York. Please contact your airline directly to schedule flights. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights from Ireland.
Ireland has implemented social-distancing and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for the Irish government to put into effect travel restrictions with little or no advance notice. Irish health authorities require anyone entering Ireland from abroad, except Northern Ireland, to either self-quarantine or self-isolate on arrival for 14 days, without exception. Passengers arriving from overseas must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form indicating where they will self-isolate. Visit the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ website for additional information on these measures. Health Service Executive (HSE) staff are present at Dublin Airport to assist arriving passengers with concerns related to COVID-19. If you are in Ireland and experience the known coronavirus 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.
The Irish government announced on May 1 a five-phase roadmap for reopening Irish society and business. Phase 2 started on June 8, and many businesses are reopening where social distancing and hygiene requirements can be maintained. Ireland’s schools remain closed, while many retail shops have reopened. Services involving personal contact such as hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, and piercing services remain closed. Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites such as parks, beaches, mountain walks, heritage, and cultural sites are now open. Sporting events, festivals, and large gatherings of people (unless from the same household) remain prohibited, and are not expected to be recommenced until late summer 2020, at the earliest. The requirement for travelers to self-quarantine or self-isolate on arrival for 14 days remains in place. Visit the Irish government COVID-19 website or the Roadmap website for updated information.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. government personnel and their family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
Effective March 16, the U.S. Embassy has suspended routine consular services. The U.S. Embassy will continue to only provide emergency Consular services until further notice. Please visit our website for information on emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports: ie.usembassy.gov.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Notice for COVID-19 in Ireland advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Ireland.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 and Ireland’s COVID-19 website for information on conditions in Ireland.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy/Consulate Dublin, Ireland
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
- +353 1 668-8777
- ACSDublin@state.gov
- ie.usembassy.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Ireland Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts
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