Big changes.
Monday, 19 July marks the next day of the easing of restrictions in Ireland and the big news today is the easing of restrictions on non-essential international travel both to and from Ireland.
Ireland has now joined the rest of the EU in implementing the Digital Covid Certificate, which means that airlines, airports and the tourism sector are expecting an increase in visitors to the country.
The implementation means that it will be possible to travel to Ireland and vice versa from inside the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, without testing or quarantining if you have valid proof of vaccination.
If you have valid proof that you have recovered from Covid in the past 180 days, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary.
However, if you do not have valid proof of vaccination or recovery, you will need a negative PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country.
Passengers arriving to Ireland from the UK and US will also no longer have to self-isolate on arrival if they have valid proof of vaccination or that they have recovered from Covid-19.
The public health advice is to avoid high-risk activities if you are not vaccinated, including international travel.
Elsewhere, from 19 July, nursing home residents can have two visitors at a time, and there are no restrictions on the duration or frequency of the visits.
Capacity on public transport is also set to increase to 75% from 50%, although the public health advice remains to walk or cycle if possible.
A decision on the return of indoor dining is expected this week, with consideration likely to be given to the rise in cases in Ireland over the past number of weeks.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the recent rise in cases is "serious".
"The situation is serious in respect of Delta and all of us have to be vigilant in terms of our individual behaviours, personal behaviour because this is a further twist on the road of Covid-19. It's a serious one," he said.
"There will be a high volume of cases and the case numbers will continue to grow. We're going to keep a very close eye on the hospitalisation that results from that and illness that results from that and mortality, of course."
Aer Lingus has welcomed the reopening of international travel with Chief Operations Officer, Peter O’Neill saying:
“We are delighted to be welcoming more customers back on board from today and reconnecting friends and families that have been kept apart for too long.
“Some coming to the airport today - or in the coming weeks - may be nervous, unsure or simply unfamiliar with flying. We understand that. Our people are trained to ensure that our customers have a safe and comfortable journey.
“We are delighted to once again be able to do what we do best for more customers- deliver safe international travel."
