Current Travel Advice

The Irish Government has implemented the new ‘traffic lights’ approach to international travel, which applies to countries in the European Union/European Economic Area and to the UK. 

Based upon common EU epidemiological data, the ECDC ‘traffic lights’ mapping information is updated every Thursday and the changes are applied with effect to travel to Ireland from the following Monday.

You can view the latest map showing the status of each country here 

Regions are classified as:

1. Green if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 25 cases per 100 000 and the test positivity rate below 4%;
2. Orange if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 50 cases per 100 000 but the test positivity rate is 4% or higher or, if the 14-day notification rate is between 25 and 150 cases per 100 000 and the test positivity rate is below 4%;
3. Red if the 14-day notification rate is 50 cases per 100 000 or higher and the test positivity rate is 4% or higher or if the 14-day notification rate is higher than 150 cases per 100 000;
4. Grey if there is insufficient information or if the testing rate is lower than 300 cases per 100 000.

For persons travelling out of Ireland to regions that are not categorised as green, comprehensive guidance is available at Gov.ie

For persons travelling into Ireland the following arrangements apply:

1. Persons arriving from EU green regions are not required to restrict their movement but should adhere to the generally applicable public health measures.
2. For persons arriving from EU regions that are not categorised as green the advice to restrict movement for 14 days applies.
3. The advice to restrict movement does not apply in the following instances:
   • Travellers with an essential function or need while exercising this essential function
   • An arrival from an EU orange region subject to the person having a negative/not-detected result from a Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than three days before the day of departure.

From midnight 29^th November, arrivals from an EU red region will not be expected to restrict movements following receipt of a negative/not-detected result from a Covid-19 PCR test taken a minimum of five days after arrival in Ireland. This provision will also be available to arrivals from orange regions who may not have availed of a pre-departure test. 

It remains a requirement for intending arrivals to Ireland to adhere to the guidance set out in the Air and Maritime Travel Protocols, available on the Department of Transport website, specifically in relation to the enhanced self-declaration of COVID-19 status required pre-boarding, i.e. that:

1. They are not symptomatic for Covid-19 and have not tested positive in the last 14 days;
2. They are not a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19, and
3. They have not been advised by doctors to restrict their movement.

It remains a mandatory requirement for arrivals to Ireland (excluding essential transport workers) to correctly complete a Passenger Locator Form which can be completed online here 

COVID-19 TESTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

There are a number of Covid-19 testing technologies currently available or emerging on the commercial market. However, subject to the ongoing review of testing by NPHET and Government, a negative result from a Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is the only test result that means the passenger is not expected to follow advice to restrict movements. Testing technology and delivery options for facilitating international travel will be kept under review.

Testing provision under Ireland’s framework for international travel will not be provided through the public health system, but rather will be met by the private commercial sector testing supply on a user pays basis.  As the availability of testing cannot be guaranteed intending passengers wishing to avail of a test should seek an early appointment for a test in advance of travel.

All arrivals are expected to follow the prevailing public health advice in Ireland upon arrival. The information and guidance concerning public health measures and international travel are available on Gov.ie. Currently, public health advice is that there should be no non-essential international travel.

It is important to emphasise that Ireland is currently under level 5 of the Government’s National Framework for living with COVID-19 and the advice remains that there should be no non-essential international travel.

New COVID-19 Protocols at Ireland West Airport

At Ireland West Airport your wellbeing is our number one priority. We understand that air travel in this current coronavirus (COVID-19) world is a new experience for everybody. It is our priority to ensure that all our staff and passengers keep healthy and safe.

Ireland West Airport is following Ireland's public health advice in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is more information on COVID-19 here

From July 1st we have introduced a range of new measures, which reflect both Ireland’s national COVID-19 guidelines, and the recent guidelines developed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), to ensure the safe return of flight operations in Europe’s aviation sector.

When you travel through the airport we encourage the public to adhere to the following protocols to ensure we protect each other and ensure the journey through Ireland West Airport continues to be a safe and pleasant one. See video above for more details.

New COVID-19 Protocols

• Follow the air carrier advice concerning the expected duration of time required to be at the airport before your flight
• Do not come to the airport if you have the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell
• Only those with a confirmed flight booking should enter the airport terminal building, anyone not flying should not enter the check-in, departure or arrival areas at the airport. This advice is in line with the current EASA guidelines. Exceptions will be allowed for persons accompanying persons with reduced mobility, unaccompanied minors, etc
• Wear a face covering/mask throughout your journey through the airport to protect yourself and your fellow passengers. Passengers should bring their own face mask but if you forget to do so, masks will be available for purchase at the airport. Children under the age of 13 will not be asked to wear face masks and passengers who have a valid medical reason for not wearing a face mask will also be exempt
• Where possible use On-Line Check-In and Electronic Boarding Passes
• Practice physical distancing where possible in line with national guidelines
• Keep your hands clean on the go by using hand sanitiser at the numerous hand sanitiser stations at the airport
• Please use contactless card to pay for goods and services at the airport where possible
• Passengers are recommended to pre-book car parking online in advance. Contactless pay machines and entry columns are available at both entry and exit to the car park. Customers who have not booked online in advance, can also use a contactless tap facility or insert their card upon arrival to the airport’s car park
• At all times, adhere to respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, and avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth

There are a number of differences you will see when you travel through the airport which are there to ensure your safety and allow you to continue with your journey. 

• Hand Sanitiser stations will be available at a number of locations throughout the airport
• All our passenger facing staff working at the airport will be wearing face masks
• You will see protective screens in place at many places including check-in, Information Desk, and retail and catering outlets. This is to protect both you and those working at Ireland West Airport 
• Enhanced cleaning regimes are in place throughout the terminal with increased disinfecting of regular touch points such as hand rails and buttons.
• Signage and floor stickers are in place to remind passengers to maintain physical distancing and respect others around them as they travel through the airport
• In-terminal announcements detailing the guidelines for physical distancing and good hygiene practices from Ireland’s Department of Health are being broadcast at frequent intervals
• Dedicated support staff will be available in the terminal to provide guidance to passengers on the measures that are in place.
• In some areas of the airport, one-way flows will be in place.

We all have a responsibility to look after our own personal hygiene. Passengers are reminded of the importance of regular hand hygiene, and to act in a responsible manner and follow the guidelines in place to ensure the journey through the airport continues to be a safe and pleasant one.

Thank you for your support in keeping each other safe whilst travelling through Ireland West Airport.