Media

EFFECTIVE FROM 00.01 ON 16 JANUARY UNTIL 23.59 ON 31 JANUARY  

DUE TO CONCERNS RELATING TO NEW STRAIN OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS, AIR TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE REQUESTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL PASSENGERS (UNLESS AN EXEMPT TRAVELLER) SHOW EVIDENCE OF A NEGATIVE/NOT DETECTED COVID-19 RT-PCR TEST CARRIED OUT WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL TO BOARD THE AIRCRAFT 

Passengers are to be informed by the Air Transport Operator that they may be prosecuted upon entering the State without the necessary evidence (of a RT-PCR Covid-19 test or an exemption), an offence punishable by a fine of up to €2,500 or up to 6 months in prison or both.

At boarding air transport operators should ensure passengers have evidence of a negative or not detected RT-PCR Covid-19 test result (in paper or electronic format; email, text or document; and the test must be taken within 72 hours of arrival in Ireland); unless the passenger is claiming to be an ‘exempt traveller’, which includes:

1. Essential Transport Workers -Airline Crew, Hauliers, Maritime Crew
2. Passengers aged 6 years and under 
3. Transit passengers 
4. Any passenger traveling with a certificate of exemption granted by Dept of Foreign Affairs or relevant Irish Embassy”

If the air transport operator is not satisfied as to the requirement for evidence of the negative/not detected RT-PCR Covid-19 test result they shall inform the passenger they are not allowed to board the aircraft.

Air transport Operators are also to take all reasonable steps to inform passengers of their obligations and ensure:

• website information makes it clear that travel to Ireland by passengers can only be undertaken if the passenger has evidence of a negative or not detected COVID-19 RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours of arrival (limited exemptions and additional public health requirements are set out on the Government’s website https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b4020-travelling-to-ireland-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ )
• reminder messages concerning this requirement are sent to passengers in sufficient time before Departure
• Passengers are informed that they may be prosecuted upon entering the state without the necessary evidence, an offence punishable by a fine of up to €2,500 or up to 6 months in prison or both, https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b4020-travelling-to-ireland-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

The above also applies in the case of passenger flight operations  falling under specific permissions obtained from Civil Air in the Department of Transport.

THIS WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM 00.01 ON 16 JANUARY UNTIL 23.59 ON 31 JANUARY