The latest travel advice for Ireland as thousands set to fly home for Christmas

The leader of the country has issued a fresh warning in the run-up to Christmas about the status of Covid-19 in the country.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned that Omicron is of "serious concern" ahead of a crunch NPHET meeting later this week.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan will lead a hugely important meeting of the group on Thursday with less than two weeks to go until Christmas Day.

With that being the case, thousands of people living abroad will now be questioning whether they can fly home for the festive period.

The Government updated the advice for those people earlier in December.

What do I need to fly home to Ireland this Christmas?

If you are travelling to Ireland from overseas you must fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before departure.

Since Sunday 5 December 2021, passengers to Ireland are asked to show a negative test for COVID-19.

If you have been vaccinated

A negative antigen test no more than 48 hours before you arrive OR a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before you arrive

If you are unvaccinated

A negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before you arrive

What antigen test do I need?

Signs at Dublin Airport advising people to take an antigen test (Collins)

Only Rapid Antigen Tests which are listed on the common EU Rapid Antigen Test list will be accepted and it must be carried out by a health professional or skilled testing personnel. You can’t test yourself.

Passengers arriving from Great Britain are advised to undertake daily antigen tests for 5 consecutive days, beginning with the day of arrival (and to self-isolate immediately and seek a PCR test if they develop symptoms or have a positive antigen test).

What about from Great Britain?

The common travel area rules don't apply in this situation. Passengers are still required to test negative before arrival.

Passengers arriving from Great Britain are advised to undertake daily antigen tests for 5 consecutive days, beginning with the day of arrival (and to self-isolate immediately and seek a PCR test if they develop symptoms or have a positive antigen test).

What are scheduled States?

All passengers from a scheduled State are required to have a negative ('not detected') RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to Ireland. This applies to all passengers even if they have vaccination or recovery certificates.

Ireland discourages Irish residents from travelling to and from the following scheduled States:

• Botswana
• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

Since 29 November 2021, a person who has been in a scheduled State in the past 14 days is not permitted to travel to Ireland.

Passengers from or who have visited a scheduled State have to quarantine for 14 days at address declared on the Passenger Locator Form (except diplomats and transport workers).

Have your say on the new restrictions below, or click here.