Ireland – COVID-19: Mandatory Hotel Quarantine
IE - COVID-19: Mandatory Hotel Quarantine
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish government has introduced a new 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine requirement with effect Friday, 26 March 2021, for travellers from a range of countries.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The introduction of the new mandatory hotel quarantine requirement for travellers from some countries may affect employers and their employees coming from outside Ireland to conduct business or work in Ireland. If there is a need to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine, this could mean building in additional time for the business trip, some inconvenience, and an extra cost. Individuals should also note the consequences of non-compliance.
Mandatory Hotel Quarantine
Who Does This Apply to?
Passengers who travel from any country per the list of designated countries issued by the Irish government within 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland, including transit travel through a designated country (see here) must complete a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine. Please note, this list will be updated by the Irish government regularly.
Passengers who travel to Ireland from any country without a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival must also complete the mandatory hotel quarantine.
The mandatory quarantine may be reduced if a passenger receives a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test taken after ten days.
What Is the Process?
Passengers who fall within the scope for the mandatory hotel quarantine will need to reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine before arrival in Ireland. Following arrival in Ireland and on completion of their immigration formalities, individuals will be greeted by the Irish Defence Forces who will transport them to their pre-booked mandatory hotel quarantine. Once an individual has completed his or her mandatory hotel quarantine, he or she will receive a letter of completion.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Exceptions to the mandatory hotel quarantine are limited and include individuals who have been fully vaccinated and other individuals as identified by the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, such as international transport workers, air crew, and individuals travelling to Ireland for imperative medical reasons.
Consequences for Non-compliance
Non-compliance with the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement is an offence and individuals may be liable to a fine of up to €2,000, imprisonment of up to one month, or both.
KPMG NOTE
Individuals and their employers with planned travel to Ireland will need to consider this new requirement and may need to build in additional time into their immigration/travel processes to be able to meet the requirement of completing the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine period.
For advice on this changing situation, please contact your travel agent and local qualified immigration counsel or the Corporate Immigration and Employment Law Team with KPMG in Ireland.
FOOTNOTE
1 For further information, see: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a6975-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/.
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ireland.
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