Press release
Minister Donnelly confirms Day 10 PCR advice for arrivals from Great Britain
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
PLEASE NOTE: Advice relating to testing requirements for people arriving from GB has changed. Please check www.gov.ie/travel for the latest travel advice
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has confirmed new public health measures for people arriving to Ireland from Great Britain.
The government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel. It is a legal requirement that all travellers to Ireland must have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before arrival to Ireland.
In addition, it is also a legal requirement that those from non-designated countries, including Great Britain, observe 14 days of Home Quarantine. This 14-day period of Home Quarantine can be shortened if you receive a ‘not detected’ RT-PCR test result 5 days after arrival. This test is free of charge and can be booked in advance on www.gov.ie/test or by visiting any HSE testing centre.
If you receive a ‘not detected’ RT-PCR test result after 5 days, you can then cease your period of home quarantine.
Those who travel from Great Britain, who are not fully vaccinated are now requested to remain in quarantine and seek a further test at least 10 days after arrival in Ireland, in addition to the day 5 test. This day 10 test is also free of charge.
You can get this test by visiting any HSE testing centre. The HSE will shortly introduce a booking portal for the day 10 test as well.
Minister Donnelly said:
“Once again this week, our collective response to COVID-19 has meant that the government’s reopening plan has continued at pace. Our ability to reopen and, more importantly, remain open as a society depends on our continued adherence to the public health guidance.
“At the moment, variants of concern continue to pose significant risks to public health and there is a specific concern around the Delta variant.
“Non-essential travel should continue to be avoided, however, if you must travel to Ireland from Great Britain then you should follow the public health advice relating to home quarantine and you are advised to avail of the free day 5 and day 10 PCR testing.
“Last week, I launched a booking portal that allows anyone travelling to Ireland book a PCR test for no less than 5 days after arrival to Ireland. Those travelling from Great Britain who have not been fully vaccinated, are now advised to arrange a test for day 5 and for day 10. If you receive a ‘not detected’ result from both your day 5 and day 10 tests it is safe to cease your home quarantine."
The HSE has also put enhanced contact tracing measures in place for all detected positive cases of COVID-19 with a travel history extending back 14 days and their close contacts.
Enhanced public health measures and investigations are also being implemented from all positive detections upon notification of a “probable” result to ensure that all efforts to trace and contain transmission for any case which has a suspicion of being a variant of concern are taken.