Northern Ireland will be exempt from the Republic's new Covid travel restrictions that come into place this week.
From Friday, all those entering the Republic of Ireland will be required to show a negative antigen or PCR test or they will not be allowed into the country.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said this would include those coming from Great Britain by air or sea. There will also be no exemption for children.
However, the rule will not apply to people coming from Northern Ireland.
Unvaccinated people will have to have a negative PCR test but fully vaccinated people can avail of a PCR or antigen test.
The tests will have to be privately paid for and cannot be home antigen tests.
Those travelling with an antigen test result will need to have obtained it within 48 hours of departure.
Those with a PCR test result will have a longer pre-travel window of 72 hours.
The rule will be reviewed in two weeks' time after more is known about the emerging Omicron variant.
Minister Donnelly also confirmed he expects more countries to be added to the home quarantine list later this week.
Mandatory hotel quarantine is also expected to be triggered if it is required.
