Fewer restrictions in place in Northern Ireland has encouraged many people in the Republic to cross the border in hopes of enjoying services such as indoor dining, which is currently available in the north.
But is this allowed?
Restrictions on inter-county travel have been lifted since May 10.
However, restrictions on travel in and out of Ireland are still in place.
The official guidelines state you should only travel outside of Ireland, including to Northern Ireland, for essential reasons.
The following are “reasonable excuses” to travel to Northern Ireland:
To go to college or school if you have to be there in person
To go with a child or a vulnerable adult to school if they have to be there in person
To work or travel related to your business
To go to a medical or dental appointment, or to go to an appointment with someone you live with, or a vulnerable person
To seek essential medical, health or dental services, or to accompany someone you live with, or a vulnerable person who needs essential treatment
To care for a family member or for other vital family reasons
To go to a funeral
To meet a legal obligation (for example, to appear in court)
To give access to a child to the other parent of the child, or to access a child that you have a right of access to
To leave Ireland if you are not resident in Ireland
Other reasonable excuses that are not on this list may be accepted.
People found to be travelling for nonessential purposes may be fined up to €2000.
People may no longer feel the need to travel to Northern Ireland next week as Ireland will reopen its outdoor dining services in bars, restaurants and cafes from June 7.
This may see an end to people breaking restriction rules to travel to Northern Ireland for nonessential purposes.
