Testing rules add signiicant costs
IRELAND is set for a phased return to non-essential travel on July 19 with overseas trips possible for people without quarantine – but several rules still apply.
Passengers will have to show they have been vaccinated against Covid-19, have a negative PCR test result or have recently recovered from the virus.
A negative PCR test will not be necessary for children under seven.
Testing requirements will add significant costs to your holiday. At Dublin Airport you could fork out between €69 to €199 for a test,
depending on the type and time it takes to get a result.
You will need to show a negative PCR test result from the previous 72 hours to avoid quarantine on your return to Ireland.
Prospective holidaymakers are urged to take out travel insurance to avoid further costs if you contract Covid-19 overseas.
This could add around €70 to an insurance policy but will ensure accommodation is covered while you are overseas.
Ireland, along with all other EU countries, has agreed to the EU Digital Covid cert. The cert can be added to your phone or printed out and will display, when scanned, if you’ve been vaccinated, received a negative PCR test or recently recovered from a Covid-19 diagnosis.
These rules will apply for travel within EU/EEA countries, the US and the UK.
The Government has the ability to apply an ‘emergency break’ to travel to and from a country where a variant of concern or variant of interest develops. Those returning home from a country where an ‘emergency break’ has been applied will be required to quarantine in a hotel if they do not have valid proof of vaccination.
It will be important for hopeful travellers to monitor the requirements of the EU country they intend to enter as each member will be able to decide the status a visitor will require.
For example, some countries may only accept fully vaccinated visitors and a negative PCR test alone may not be considered sufficient.