Ireland ends all COVID-19 restrictions for incoming travelers

Ireland has removed all coronavirus restrictions for traveling into the country, which means arrivals no longer need to present a COVID-19 certificate or complete a passenger locator form.

The rules requiring COVID-19 certificates and a passenger locator form for travel to Ireland were dropped on Sunday, March 6. International travelers, regardless of where they're coming from, no longer need to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative PCR test upon arrival.

There is also no longer a requirement to complete a passenger locator form.

Ireland's health minister Stephen Donnelly said the decision to remove travel requirements was made in preparation for the large number of Ukranian refugees expected to travel to Ireland who aren't in a position to prove compliance.

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"This action was taken quickly to remove these travel requirements so as to decrease any obstacles for people leaving Ukraine and neighbouring 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, though the situation at home remains "broadly positive" with relatively low hospitalization numbers and high vaccine uptake.

Travel restrictions were the only remaining COVID-19 regulations in place after the government stood down mask mandates and health certificate rules in recent weeks, ending what has been one of the longest and strictest set of COVID-19 restrictions in Europe.

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While people traveling into Ireland no longer need to comply with COVID-19 rules, Irish people still need to present their EU Digital COVID certs when traveling to most countries.

Meanwhile, Ireland is preparing for celebrations next week as the St Patrick's Day festival returns for the first time since 2019. Parades, live music and cultural events are all part of the festivities which run from Thursday, March 17 to Sunday, March 20.

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