The UK Government has introduced new measures to “slow down the seeding” of the Omicron variant, however the Common Travel Area is unaffected.
People travelling from Ireland to the Common Travel Area (CTA) will not be required to take a PCR test upon arrival, the UK Government has confirmed.
On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled new measures designed to curb the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The first two cases of the new variant in the UK were detected hours before Johnson’s announcement.
“We have been made aware by the UK Health Security Agency of two UK cases of the Omicron variant,” confirmed UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
“The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.
“These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway.
Under the terms of the new restrictions, anyone who enters the United Kingdom will be required to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival.
However, it has since been clarified that this measure will not apply to the CTA, which consists of all travel between the UK and the island of Ireland.
“Current rules for travel within the Common Travel Area (CTA) remain unchanged,” noted a statement issued by the British Embassy.
“No Covid-19 test or quarantine is required if travelling within CTA and not outside of CTA in previous 10 days.”
Confirmation that travel from Ireland to England is not affected by the new Covid-19 measures announced by the British Government today👇 https://t.co/xsN4hL7evh
— Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) November 28, 2021
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney hailed the move on Sunday morning.
“Happy to receive confirmation that new Covid-19 international travel measures announced by UK Government involving extra PCR testing on arrival will not apply to the CTA,” he wrote on Twitter.
“So, travellers from Ireland to UK will be unaffected.”
Happy to receive CONFIRMATION that new #COVID19 international travel measures announced by U.K. Govt, involving extra PCR testing on arrival, will NOT apply to the CTA. So travellers from #Ireland to U.K. will be unaffected. @BritEmbDublin @dfatirl https://t.co/TDWvETEtwq
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) November 28, 2021
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