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Ireland has decided to scrap mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers after the Irish government lifted the measure. According to the nation’s Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly, Ireland has reduced the quarantine requirement progressively over the last few months.
He stated, “the mandatory hotel quarantine system was introduced as an exceptional public health measure at a time that our country was contending with the very serious risk of importation of variants of concern that had the potential to overwhelm our health service and, in particular, to undermine Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination program.”
“The successful operation of mandatory hotel quarantine has played a central role in protecting the population, maintaining control of the disease, and enabling the safe relaxation of restrictions on our economy and society.”
Previously, travelers had to pay €1,875 per person. However, travelers could end their quarantine after the tenth day if they present a negative COVID-19 test.
The New Entry Requirements
On July 19th, Ireland started the EU digital COVID-19 certificate to enable travelers to move in and out of Ireland. Additionally, Ireland declared it would allow travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to travel to Ireland if they have proof of vaccination.
However, vaccinated travelers from many countries outside the EU still had to complete a mandatory 12-night quarantine regardless of their vaccination status.
The new rules have changed that and mean fully vaccinated travelers — regardless of where they flew from — can skip quarantine if they’re fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated travelers from outside of the European Union will still have to undergo a negative PCR test before traveling to Ireland, fill in the passenger locator form, and complete the mandatory quarantine period despite the new changes.
Ireland current accepts the following vaccines:
- Johnson & Johnson
- Pfizer
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
All travelers entering from the EU, UK, US, and Canada will have to complete a passenger locator form, have proof of vaccination, provide a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival, or have proof they’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days.
The COVID-19 Situation In Ireland
Ireland has had low cases of COVID-19 compared to the rest of Europe. The current 7-day average in Ireland is 1,330 cases. That’s way down from the largest peak in January, where the 7-day average was 6,532 at its peak. Since the pandemic began, Ireland has had a total of 385,000 COVID-19 cases.
The vaccination rollout in Ireland has largely been successful. The nation has fully vaccinated 72.8 percent of its population and has administered a total of 7,195,154 vaccine doses. At the current rate of vaccine doses, it will take another 90 days to vaccinate another 10 percent of the population. But the country has fully vaccinated the majority of its adult population.
The Current Restrictions Inside Ireland
Unlike some other nations in Europe, Ireland hasn’t fully dropped its COVID-19 restrictions. From September 6th, indoor events can take place at a capacity of 60 percent if people are fully vaccinated, or they have proof that they’ve recovered from COVID-19.
Moreover, cinemas and theatres are limited to a capacity of 60 percent if people are fully vaccinated. Otherwise, the government caps the event at just 50 people.
From September 20th, indoor activities, like sports, dance, and art classes, can accommodate 100 people if they’re fully vaccinated.
If you want to enter bars or restaurants, you’ll need evidence that you’re fully vaccinated. Businesses can refuse people who aren’t fully vaccinated. The current restrictions are in place throughout Ireland until October 9th at the earliest.
Read More:
- Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
- Top 10 Places To Visit On Your Trip To Ireland
- U.S. Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory For France, Thailand, and Iceland
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.