All arrivals into Ireland from Great Britain and South Africa from January 9 will be required to provide a negative PCR test result on entry.

Ireland had placed a ban on flights arriving into the country from Great Britain, in an attempt to stop the spread of a new, more infectious variant of Covid-19.

This ban will end at midnight on January 8, but will be replaced by strict testing measures for all arrivals from January 9.

In a statement the Irish government said:

“From January 9, 2021, all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test (Covid-19 not detected) taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.”

Irish carrier Aer Lingus has confirmed that it will resume flights from Great Britain to Ireland from January 9, and has provided Business Traveller with the following update:

“From January 9,  the Irish Government will require all persons departing Great Britain and South Africa for Ireland to provide a negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. The mandatory requirement for a PCR test will be enforced at Border Control in Ireland.

“At boarding in Great Britain, Aer Lingus will require all customers to present evidence (e.g. email, text of document) of a negative PCR test result that can subsequently be verified by Border Control staff in Ireland. Customers that do not have such evidence will be advised that they may be prosecuted on arrival if they proceed to travel.

“Aer Lingus customers that do not wish to travel can change their flight for free up to two hours before travel, on every Aer Lingus fare type, including our Saver fare.

“Aer Lingus continues to liaise with the Department of Transport, other Government Departments and the relevant authorities as required.”

gov.ie, aerlingus.com