Ireland: Authorities extend COVID-19-related domestic restrictions until April 5 /update 27

Event

Authorities in Ireland have issued orders extending the duration of most of the country's domestic COVID-19 restrictions. Under the new directive, the following measures will remain in place across the country until at least April 5:

Residents are not allowed visitors except for essential family reasons.
Individuals must remain at home, except for work, exercise within 5 km (3.1 miles) of home, or essential purposes, such as seeking healthcare services and attending to family emergencies. Working from home is required whenever possible.
Restaurants and pubs must remain closed. Nonessential retail outlets, personal services such as hairdressers, beauticians, and barbers, along with gyms and swimming pools, are still closed, as are all cultural institutions.
Family gatherings are suspended. Funerals and weddings are limited to 10 and six people, respectively.
Public transport capacity is limited to 25 percent; residents are advised to use public transport only for essential purposes.
Nightclubs, casinos, and similar venues remain closed.
Facemasks are required in indoor public places and crowded outdoor public places.

Despite the extension, authorities have indicated that schools will be allowed to reopen gradually starting March 1.

International Entry Restrictions
As of Feb. 23, Irish authorities plan to introduce a mandatory quarantine in hotels for travelers from several countries including the UAE, Austria, and Brazil. It remains unclear as to when this measure will come into force.

All incoming travelers are required to fill out a passenger locator form prior to arrival and possess proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the 72 hours prior to travel in order to be permitted entry. Additionally, all travelers must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, though this can be ended early if the individual takes a COVID-19 test confirming a negative result no less than five days after arrival. Essential transport workers and individuals in transit are exempt from these requirements.

Individuals arriving from countries designated as "Category 2" must observe the full 14-day self-isolation period. As of Feb. 23, Category 2 countries include Angola, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, UAE, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Health officials are currently passing legislation to require arrivals from these countries to carry out their isolation in specifically designated hotels, though it is not confirmed when this measure will come into effect.

Authorities could reintroduce, extend, or otherwise amend restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.