Starting from Sunday, December 5, all travellers reaching the territory of Ireland are obliged to show proof of negative test results of a Coronavirus test. While travellers who hold proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus can present proof of either PCR negative test results taken within 72 hours upon arrival or a negative result taken of an antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival, the conditions are a bit tighter for those unvaccinated and unrecovered. Passengers without proof of vaccination or recovery, must show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival, which means that antigen tests are not accepted for these travellers. Moreover, vaccinated and recovered travellers who present negative results of a Rapid Antigen Test are permitted to enter the country only if the test is listed in the common EU rapid antigen test list and is carried out by a health professional or skilled testing personnel. Exempt from the pre-departure testing obligation remain the following categories:

• transport workers
• children younger than 12
• those travelling for urgent medical reasons
• garda/defence forces travelling on duty
• persons travelling subject to an arrest warrant/legal proceeding
• officeholders or elected representatives performing their duties
• persons travelling in a humanitarian emergency
• travellers from Northern Ireland who have not been overseas in the 14-days prior to arrival

AUSTRIA After imposing a national lockdown and restricting entry for the majority of travellers, the Austrian authorities have revealed that travel for touristic purposes will be allowed again after December 13. However, all those who wish to travel to Austria after December 13 should note that they are still required to follow certain entry rules in order to be permitted entry. Austria currently requires all persons to provide a COVID-19 test result, a vaccination certificate, or a recovery certificate. Those who don’t hold a vaccination or recovery certificate must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. On the other hand, those who hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate are not subject to the testing requirement. Nonetheless, the vaccination certificate must indicate that the holder has been immunized with one of the accepted vaccines in the last nine months. In contrast, stricter rules apply to travellers from Omicron-affected areas. Arrivals from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are currently subject to an entry ban. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.