On Monday 19 July 2021  the non-essential ban on international travel is finally lifted. Many Self-Catering property owners nave been asking questions on who can stay in our properties and what the regulations are. The regulations vary based on the country the customers come from and the airlines and ferry companies are responsible for checking the Green Certs and vaccination of customers. Self-Catering owners can now accept bookings from people in different countries, based on the regulations below. Crucially for in-bound tourism, the key source markets of the US and GB are being treated the same as European partners.

Fingers crossed we have a successful reopening and along with the resumption of indoor hospitality (date TBC but no later than 26/07) we can look forward to the bulk of our industry being in a position to trade once again. The Department of Transport will work to provide clarity for certain sectors and to ensure that domestic and international demand is maximised for the benefit of all.  As previously outlined by Government from July 19 citizens will be advised to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions and to avoid non-essential travel to countries to which an emergency brake has been applied. Details of the Regulations are as follows from Monday 19th July 2021:- 

Cottages in Wexford

From July 19 Passengers arriving in Ireland will require one of the following:

• Be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency;
• Have Evidence of a negative/not detected result from an RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
• Be in possession of an EU Digital Covid Certification of recovery

From passengers travelling from the EU

• No pre-departure RT-PCR test, or further day 5 RT-PCR test or quarantine is required for fully vaccinated or EU DCC recovered travellers.
• Require pre-departure PCR (taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival) for all those not vaccinated or recovered. No quarantine required. Day 5 RT-PCR test recommended (provided free through HSE).

Third Country Non-Designated States / Not “Emergency Brake” Countries (including US/UK)

• No pre-departure RT-PCR test, or further day 5 RT-PCR test or quarantine is required for fully vaccinated or recovered travellers.
• Require pre-departure RT-PCR test (taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival) for all those not vaccinated or recovered AND require 14 day home quarantine with release after a negative day 5 RT-PCR test.

TRAVEL FROM OR THROUGH Third Country Designated States/ “Emergency Brake” Countries

• Require pre-departure RT-PCR test (taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival) for vaccinated or recovered travellers. Home quarantine on arrival will apply with release after a negative day 5 RT-PCR test.
• Require pre-departure PCR test (taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival) for all those not vaccinated or recovered AND require 14-day hotel quarantine with release after a negative day 0 and 10 PCR test.

Bundoran – Portbeg Holiday homes have a group of houses on 1 site

The exemption for children having to have a RT-PCR test is also being raised from 6 and under to 11 and under, therefore.

Accompanying Children

• Children aged 11 or under will not require any pre-departure tests to travel into Ireland.
• Children are aged 12-17 will be required to present a pre-departure negative RT-PCR taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival.
• Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post-arrival. [Were travelling with both vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated/recovered adults (who are required to home quarantine), children should also home quarantine]
• However, in any event, in respect of children aged 12 and over public health recommends still doing the free day 5 test.

All passengers are required to complete an online Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form (PLF). The Government is working towards an enhanced PLF system, which is expected to be in operation by the 26^th July 2021.

Stay in Self-Catering on Hotel Grounds

Pending the introduction of the enhanced PLF;

Carriers are required to check:

• • ePLF receipt
  • Proof of negative RT- PCR test where required. In addition to existing exemptions from the requirement to provide a negative RT-PCR test, travellers who are fully vaccinated (or recovered), will not be required to have a negative           RT-PCR test, unless travelling from a designated state/emergency break country.

A revised NOTAM will be published as soon as possible.  Updates are being made to www.gov.ie/travel .

Self-Catering owners are very conscious of their customer’s safety and have taken the Covid Safety Certification, displayed in their property.

Covid Safety Certificate at Self-Catering house