On Monday 19 July 2021  the non-essential ban on international travel is finally lifted. Many Self-Catering property owners have 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 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 maximized 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:- 

From July 19 Passengers arriving into 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 a 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 required for fully vaccinated or EU DCC recovered travellers.
• Require pre-departure PCR (taken in 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 required for fully vaccinated or recovered travellers.
• Require pre-departure RT-PCR test (taken in 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 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 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.

• 

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 aged 12-17 will be required to present a pre-departure negative RT-PCR taken in 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. [Where 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.

• 

Pending introduction of the enhanced ePLF;

Carriers are required to check:

• ePLF receipt
• Proof of negative RT- PCR test where required. In addition to existing exemptions from 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

From the 26^th July , under the enhanced EPLF system passengers will be required to make a statutory declaration as to their travel status on the PLF. E.g. DCC, Negative PCR test, proof of vaccination. Passengers previously exempt from completing a PLF other than international transport workers in possession of a  Annex 3 will now be required to complete a simplified PLF declaring their exempt status.

The PLF receipt will identify those that have declared an exemption based EMA-approved vaccination or proof of recovery if applicable or are otherwise exempt from the requirement to have a negative RT-PCR test, and no further checks will be required by the carrier.

All other passengers will be required to provide proof to the carrier of a negative RT-PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours before arrival or will be denied boarding. 

Self-Catering property owners display their Covid Safety Certificates at their properties

•