Ireland has lifted all coronavirus entry restrictions, meaning visitors will no longer need to submit a COVID-19 certificate or fill out a passenger locator form.
On Sunday, March 6, the requirements of COVID-19 certifications and a passenger location form for travel to Ireland were repealed. Upon arrival, international tourists no longer need to present confirmation of immunization, recovery, or a negative PCR test, regardless of where they came from.
Stephen Donnelly, Ireland's health minister, said the decision to eliminate travel criteria was made in anticipation of the high number of Ukrainian refugees expecting to arrive in Ireland who will be unable to verify compliance. "This action was taken quickly to remove these travel requirements so as to decrease any obstacles for people leaving Ukraine and neighboring countries for Ireland," said a government statement.
Officials said the government is continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and abroad, even though the situation in Ireland is "mostly favourable," with low hospitalisation rates and strong vaccine uptake.
Travel limitations were the only COVID-19 laws still in effect after the government removed mask mandates and health certificate requirements in recent weeks, thereby abolishing one of Europe's most stringent COVID-19 restrictions.
While visitors to Ireland are no longer required to follow COVID-19 requirements, Irish citizens must still display their EU Digital COVID certificates when travelling to the majority of nations.
Meanwhile, Ireland is gearing up for St Patrick's Day festivities next week, which will be held for the first time since 2019. The festivities, which run from Thursday, March 17 through Sunday, March 20, include parades, live music, and cultural events.