Since the 16th January passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas (including those entering via Northern Ireland) are required to present evidence of a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel upon arrival.
The RT-PCR test result must be shown prior to boarding and once again to border officials upon entry. Travellers that do not present a test result to border officials upon entry are committing an offence and may be subject to prosecution. Also, passengers arriving without a pre-travel PCR test result must now take one within 36 hours of arrival or will be committing an additional offense.
Exemptions from the pre-departure test requirement are in place for international transport workers, passengers travelling with an urgent medical need and for travellers with genuine humanitarian emergencies unable to obtain a pre-departure RT-PCR test before travel.