Publication
Mandatory hotel quarantine: Your questions answered
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Mandatory quarantine applies to all passengers travelling from, or transiting through, designated states, regardless of nationality as well as passengers who arrive from any location not in receipt of a negative/'not detected' result from a RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to their arrival in Ireland. The aim of mandatory quarantine is to protect the population from challenges posed by new variants of concern.
See the list of designated states.
The provisions of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, published on Friday, 19 February, allow for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine, provisions for leaving quarantine under exceptional circumstances (such as medical emergencies or for humanitarian reasons).
The legislation does not prescribe a specific set of humanitarian reasons, the independent appeals officers will assess each application on its own merits and taking the prevailing public health guidance into account.
Decisions in relation to reviews of quarantine are taken by a panel of independent appeals officers, designated by the Minister.
If you travel to Ireland under any circumstances, you must enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
The legislation outlines a very limited list of exemptions including:
- arriving into the State in the course of duty and who hold a valid Annex 3 certificate (ensuring the availability of goods and essential services)
- arriving in the State in the course of duty and are drivers of a heavy goods vehicle
- airline pilots, aircrew, maritime master or maritime crew and who arrive in the State in the course of performing duties
- travelling to the State pursuant to an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings or other mandatory legal obligation
- a member of An Garda Síochána or Defence Forces and travelling to the State in course of duty
- travelling to the State for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons and these reasons are certified by a registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the State
- having been outside of the State to provide services to or perform the functions of an office holder (under any enactment or the Constitution) or a member of either house of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament
- diplomats and certain other categories of persons entitled to privileges and immunities in the State
If you are travelling to the State for unavoidable, imperative and time-sensitive medical reasons and these reasons are certified by a registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the State.
A registered medical practitioner or person with equivalent qualifications outside the State must provide with you with a certification confirming you are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine.
Unfortunately attending a funeral does not qualify as a reason for an exemption from mandatory hotel quarantine. It also does not qualify as a humanitarian reason for an appeal to be accepted from a person in mandatory hotel quarantine.
While recognising this is a difficult rule for persons affected it is deemed a necessary infection prevention and control measure to protect public health.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will ensure that those seeking sanctuary in Ireland complete quarantine at an appropriate facility.
All passengers travelling to Ireland from designated states, including those who have transited through a port or airport in a designated state, even if they stay airside or portside, in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Ireland, must enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
This applies to all passengers who have been in, or transitioned through a designated state, regardless of nationality. The aim of this measure is to protect the population when there is a high risk of importation of infection from COVID-19 and from challenges posed by new variants of concern.
You must also enter mandatory hotel quarantine if, regardless of which country you arrive from (designated and non-designated states), you do not provide evidence that you have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out no more than 72 hours before you arrive into Ireland.
Tifco Hotel Group will be responsible for ensuring designated facilities are available for the provision of mandatory quarantine.
The first 4 hotels are:
- The Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport
- The Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport
- Clontarf Castle Hotel
- The Hard Rock Hotel Dublin City Centre
| Rate (for standard package of 12 nights inclusive of all services) | Day Rate (for those entering from non-designated states with no pre-departure PCR Test) | |
| Rate for 1 Adult in 1 Room | €1875 | €150 |
| Additional Rate for 1 Adult Sharing (or child over 12) | €625 | €55 |
| Additional Rate for a Child Sharing Aged 4-12 | €360 | €30 |
| Rate for Infant (0-3) | €0 | €0 |
No, the facilities are for the exclusive use of those travellers completing mandatory quarantine.
Yes, the hotel training programmes, and operating procedures have been updated in line with the HSE COVID-19 infection prevention control (IPC) guidelines. Additionally, the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport hotel is Fáilte Ireland Safety Charter certified.
Tifco Hotel Group have also provided detailed procedures for their staff in checking in, checking out, facilitating outside breaks and accommodating guests in the Mandatory Hotel Quarantining System.
A healthcare provider will undertake an assessment of each guest and develop appropriate care plans where needed at each facility. They will also conduct regular wellbeing check-ins.
Yes.
Yes.
In the unlikely event of evacuation, the hotel’s fire/emergency evacuation systems and procedures will be followed in full. Guests will be required to maintain social distancing and wear face masks and assemble in a socially distance manner at the fire assembly point.
Yes, the hotels will endeavour to ensure family groups can stay in family rooms or adjoining rooms. If you have any additional requirements, you should contact the hotel directly.
Unaccompanied minors arriving in to the State who have travelled from or through a designated state in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland will not be permitted to enter a mandatory quarantine facility alone.
Either:
- their adult guardian can enter mandatory hotel quarantine with them; or
- if this is not possible their guardian must sign a written undertaking to ensure the child will adhere to quarantine rules under their care at home or in a boarding school
Any unaccompanied minor who requires state care will be taken into the care of Túsla and complete their mandatory quarantine at a separate facility.
Tifco Hotel Group will make a range of health and wellbeing supports available to guests. The HSE will undertake testing for COVID-19 and a separate healthcare provider will undertake an assessment of each guest and develop appropriate care plans where needed at each facility. They will also conduct regular wellbeing check-ins.
Designated fresh air breaks will be accommodated at the hotel. A designated safe and secure space for fresh air breaks will be available at the hotel. These breaks should be booked in advance. The hotel will endeavour to accommodate guests at their preferred time.
At the requested time, a Security person will knock on the guests door and escort them to the designated area. All outdoor areas are monitored. Security will escort guests back to their bedroom after their break. In order to protect other guests and the hotel team, a fresh air break will only be permitted after you have received a negative PCR test.
The possibilities for exercise/fresh air breaks may differ from one facility to another.
The hotel will operate an in-room dining service only where meals will be delivered directly to the guest’s door. A comprehensive in-room dining menu has been developed for all mealtimes. Guests may also purchase any additional food and beverage requirements from the room service menu.
Guests are encouraged to engage in exercise and mobility when possible throughout their stay. An online exercise programme has been developed, additionally guests will have access to an outdoor area within the hotel grounds. In-line with infection prevention control (IPC) guidelines, guests must pre- book times to access this facility.
Yes, the full range of the hotel’s in-room services will be available to guests, including free WiFi, the in-room entertainment system and room service menus. The movie package available within the in-room TV entertainment system has been included as part of the accommodation package for guests quarantining at the hotel.
Members of the public qualifying for mandatory quarantine are advised that they should not bring pets into the country during this time. The quarantine facility will not be in a position to accommodate them, with the exception of guide dogs, pets will be placed in commercial kennels/catteries whilst the owner is in mandatory quarantine. The full cost of transport and housing during this time will be payable by the pet owner.
Tifco Hotel Group will be responsible for providing ground transportation for travellers from their point of entry to the designated facility. The Irish Defence Forces will oversee this process.
Please note that if arriving into Ireland by vehicle via a seaport (with the exception of exempted drivers of a heavy goods vehicles) you will be required to park your vehicle at the port before you are transported to the designated quarantine facility.
The Penalties established in the Act are a fine of up to €2,000 or imprisonment of up to one month, or both.
The Expert Advisory Group continues to keep the list of designated states under review on an ongoing basis.
