The Irish Government has extended its ban on all arriving passenger flights from Britain until 23.59 on Friday, January 8, 2021. 

The ban applies to all passenger flights with the exception of repatriation flights. The ban does not apply to cargo flights. There is also a ban on passengers arriving from South Africa.

Passengers affected by this ban should contact their airline in relation to their specific flight.

From Saturday, January 9, new Government rules mean that passengers originating from Britain or South Africa will be required to have evidence of a negative or “not detected” result of a COVID-19 PCR test obtained within 72 hours of arrival into the State. 

Passengers may be asked to present evidence of their negative or "not detected" result before boarding their aircraft prior to departure and will be required to produce this evidence to Immigration Officers on arrival at Cork Airport. 

Passengers who arrive in an Irish airport without evidence of a negative or "not detected" test result will be committing an offence and may be subject to prosecution, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

Passengers whose journey does not originate in either Britain or South Africa, but who transit through an airport in Britain as part of their journey to Ireland, will not be required to provide evidence of a negative or "not detected" COVID-19 PCR test. Passengers who arrive in Ireland solely for the purpose of travelling onwards to another state and do not leave the airport are also not required to provide evidence of a negative or "not detected" test.

If someone has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel, they are asked to the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate immediately for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey. 

There is further information in relation to movement restrictions advice and exemptions here.