Ireland has eased its restrictions on international travel

International travel resumes in Ireland today, with the government formally adopting the EU digital COVID-19 certificate and removing quarantine requirements for travelers from the US and the UK.

From today, Ireland has joined the rest of the EU by participating in the digital COVID certificate system, which shows the holder's proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative test results, and generally allows them to travel across the EU without restrictions.

Read more: Everything you need to know about the EU's digital COVID-19 certificate

Travelers from elsewhere, including the US and UK, will no longer be required to quarantine provided they present valid proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus, or evidence of a negative PCR test.

On Friday, the government updated its rules for entering Ireland with children, confirming that children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to present a negative PCR test, or show proof of vaccination or recovery. It also said that "children of any age, traveling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post arrival."

Despite early concerns about Ireland's vaccine rollout, the country has now one of the fastest vaccination rates in the world according to data from Our World In Data as reported in the Irish Times, as well as one of the highest vaccine uptakes in the world.

Read more: As England drops COVID-19 restrictions, here's what it means for travel

Ireland has been under rolling nationwide lockdowns since March 2020, operating under the strictest level of restrictions from last December to this May, with measures that shut down hospitality and retail, banned indoor household mixing, and prohibited people traveling more than 5km from their homes.

But as the vaccine rollout gathered speed, restrictions began to ease. Hotels are open, and restaurants, bars and cafes are open for outdoor service with indoor hospitality set to resume on July 26 for patrons who are fully vaccinated.

Museums, galleries and cultural attractions opened in mid-May with social distancing and face mask guidelines in place. Face masks are also required in enclosed public spaces in Ireland, on public transport and in crowded outdoor spaces.

This article was first published on May 28 and updated on July 19, 2021.

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