The Emerald Isle awaits: Ireland reopens to South Africans

Several countries in Europe have begun allowing vaccinated South Africans to enter their borders. The reclassification of the Beta variant by Germany at the end of July led to a number of countries reopening their borders to vaccinated South Africans.  

Just over two months ago Ireland indicated that it would be reopening its borders to South Africans. The country has now made good on its promise. Ireland is the latest country to ease entry restrictions for South African nationals after removing South Africa from the list of nations it deems to carry increased Covid-19 risks when nationals of these countries travel to Ireland.

CONCERNS OVER VIRUS VARIANTS

Earlier this year Ireland suspended its visa-free travel agreement with South Africa, in a bid to prevent South Africans travelling there, and importing the Beta strain of the virus into that country.

On Friday 27 August Ireland made changes to its travel policy by removing numerous countries from its list of designated states which have been deterred from travelling to Ireland through mandatory hotel-managed quarantines and the suspension of visa-free travel .

IRELAND REVISES HIGH-RISK LIST  

Fully vaccinated travellers from South Africa will not be subjected to isolation or quarantine.  Under the new regulations, fully vaccinated travellers and those with official proof of recovery from Covid-19 – are no longer required to quarantine when arriving in the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland recognises travellers as being fully vaccinated seven days after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and 14 days after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

FULLY RECOVERED TRAVELLERS ELIGIBLE

South Africans who have not been vaccinated but who have recovered from Covid-19 may also travel to Ireland. To avoid having to quarantine on arrival these travellers will have to provide proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the past 180 days.  

A certified positive PCR test result will have to be presented by travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 and who wish to visit the Emerald Isle without having to quarantine.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS TO QUARANTINE

Unvaccinated travellers without proof of recovery will be required to quarantine for 12 days, at a cost of E 1875 (R 32 000). If travellers test negative for Covid-19 after five days after arriving in Ireland, they will be able to end quarantine.