Public health measures for COVID-19

Travel restrictions

All COVID-19 restrictions for travelling to Ireland have been lifted. You no longer need to complete a passenger locator form. You also no longer need proof of vaccination or recovery, or a COVID-19 test.

Travel abroad

You should check the public health advice, document requirements and COVID-19 restrictions that are in place in the country you are going to. You should do this even if you are travelling to an EEA country.

Ireland is operating the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel within the EU and EEA. From 1 February 2022, the DCC based on primary vaccination will expire after 270 days (9 months). You can get an updated DCC if you get a booster vaccine dose.

Laws in place now

The Government continues to issue guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, however the laws in force during the pandemic are no longer in place.

Face coverings

It is no longer mandatory to wear a face-mask in any indoor setting including schools, shops, restaurants or bars. Staff in hospitality settings will no longer need to wear a face covering.

You are recommended to wear a face-mask on public transport and in healthcare settings. If you have COVID-19 you should isolate and wear a mask for 10 days. You can read more about face masks.

Previous measures

Measures to delay the spread of the virus taken on 12 March 2020 included closing schools, colleges, childcare facilities and state-run cultural institutions. Hospital visits were restricted. Pubs were advised to close. These measures were extended, along with further measures announced on 24 March 2020.

The Government announced the Roadmap for reopening society and business (pdf) on 1 May 2020.

On 2 September 2020, the Resilience and Recovery 2020–2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 (pdf) was published. This included a plan to manage COVID-19 using different levels.

On 23 February 2021, a revised plan to manage COVID-19 was published called Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead (pdf). A re-opening plan for May and June was announced on 29 April 2021. A further easing of restrictions for June, July and August was announced on 28 May 2021.

The 'Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting’ plan was announced on 31 August 2021. This included a plan for phased easing of restrictions during September and October.

On 3 December, the Government reintroduced restrictions, including all nightclubs to close until 9 January 2022. Further restrictions were announced on 17 December 2021, including an 8pm closing time for bars, restaurants, live events, cinemas and theatres until 30 January 2022.

On 22 January 2022, the Government removed most COVID-19 restrictions. Face masks and protective measures in schools remain in place until 28 February 2022.

On 22 February 2022, the Government announced that protective measures in schools (such as pods and social distancing) and the mandatory requirement for face masks will end on 28 February 2022.

On 31 March 2022 the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 ended. This gave the Minister for Health the power to make regulations and introduce measures to slow down the spread of the virus. It also allowed for the detention of someone who was a potential source of infection and risk to public health, if it was necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic various regulations gave An Garda Síochána additional powers, including arrest without warrant. Offences were punishable by a fine of up to €5,000, up to six months imprisonment, or a combination of both.