PCR test for Ireland

[NoProblem123]

Going to Ireland on Monday - all of us over 18 are fully vac ages ago apart from daughter’s 17yo friend.
Am I right in thinking she now needs a PCR test before we go ? And again before we come home ?

I’ve tried booking a Boots one but it’s requested a passport number - she hasn’t got a passport !

All the others I can see are online are up to £150 for same day turnaround.
I’ll have to take her and pay as her parents can’t afford that and they don’t drive.

I’ve no idea how to book the inbound one.

Thinking of cancelling tbh - any advice ?

How are you planning on travelling if she doesn't have a passport? And yes, she'll need a PCR.

Also: are you aware she'll have to quarantine for five days? And have another negative test in Ireland before she can stop quarantine?

The up to date info is here: www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/

She will also need one to get back to the U.K. and that will cost you too. It'll need to be booked in advance as they are getting fully booked very fast over here.

Actually sorry, I'm wrong she won't need to quarantine if nobody else does: They've just changed that today. In terms of booking a PCR in Ireland, this link explains it www.gov.ie/en/service/f4ad3-book-a-covid-19-test-for-after-you-arrive-in-ireland/

This has lots of advice of how and where to book: www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/pcr-test-for-travel-buy-online-b1880252.html

The current guidelines coming in are

Proof of both vaccinations, negative PCR test 72 hours before travel or proof of recovered from covid.

You will also be asked to fill out a form with where you are staying, contact details and you will have to quarantine for 10 days. I think you can get tested after 5 to release you.

I'm not sure about the passport, I assumed you need one to enter ireland but as I'm Irish I haven't come up against travelling without one, as most of our airlines request one.

I had inlaws travel in on Friday and this is what they had to do. I'm not sure about returning to UK.

Sorry yes quarantine rules changed today, unvaccinated need negative PCR test and vaccinated people don't have to quarantine, from reading the news it does say unvaccinated have to quarantine and can be released after 5 days with a negative test, it changes so much here that you're best looking up RTE news or Irish citizen advice and they list the requirements

@qualitygirl

She will also need one to get back to the U.K. and that will cost you too. It'll need to be booked in advance as they are getting fully booked very fast over here.

Is that really the case? Ireland isn’t on any of the ‘lists’ so my understanding it is exempt from needing a test to return back to UK…

@leakymcleakleak

How are you planning on travelling if she doesn't have a passport? And yes, she'll need a PCR.

You don’t need one for a ferry crossing

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/craicnet/4278687-Are-people-who-live-in-England-planning-to-visit-family-in-Ireland-this-summer

Lots of info here.

No test needed from Ireland to uk coming back either.

Thanks for replies, and yes I’m looking at the updated information after today’s changes.
Look’s like 1 before travel, 1 before coming back and 1 once home

And yes, it’s a ferry so no passport required.

What ID does she have for the ferry though? @MegCleary @NoProblem123 I know you don't technically need a passport but I've had issues with this in recent years. What ID will she actually have?

Two fights with border officials, one on way in and way out, both insisted that actually freedom of movement only applies to British and Irish citizens and they need to see prove of nationality, i.e. a passport, to know if we're entitled to avail of it. Which makes no sense, but they wouldn't budge, even though I was using a form of ID acceptable to the ferry company.

With an under 18 I'd expect you'd get away with a birth cert but maybe not if they're travelling without their parents.

I'm not sure you will need three though: the link from today suggests she can avoid the 5 day test and the PCR test before return is only necessary if the UK say it is which I don't think they do.

@VanGoSunflowers sorry yes that changed today

Sorry computer cut off text: that was meant to be I've had difficulty travelling on ferries and trying to use ID other than passports in recent years leading to two fights with border officials at either end. (The first time I had a passport in my bag as we were hiring a car but it was buried deep so I used a different ID and then when it was refused I argued the point, then on the way back I tried it again to see if it was across the board)

No tests coming back

And if she’s travelling with parents and all fully vaxxed no quarantine needed but the no passport thing I don’t know. Travel on birth certificate, ring boots to book test and explain maybe.

She will need a test to enter Ireland but will t need on to travel back to U.K.

Sorry will not need one to travel back

Hi did you manage to sort a PCR RT test? …….I’m having the same problem with my 13 year old no passport so can’t find anyone to test him! Sara

Don't forget to fill out your passenger locator forms too.

Yes it all went swimmingly ! Booked her into a PCR test centre - Ellesmere Port was my nearest. They didn’t need passport details just photo ID (bus card).
I think on the application I just put 12345678 as the passport number.
Paid £99 for next day results by 8pm. Test was easy peasy and I got the results by email on time.
Printed off the results so I had a hard copy in case my signal played up at the docks.
They asked but didn’t actually check !
And yes passenger locator forms too.

We went via Dublin but didn’t stop until we got across the border so no isolation when we got home

Thanks for reply my 13 year old doesn’t have any photo ID I was told they would test him up T Gatwick airport without but when I got there today they refused as no photo ID… do you mind me asking what company is the test centre at Ellesmere port? thanks Sara

Assured Screening- you can either book a test to be sent to you, or go to one of their test centres.

The reviews aren’t that good (I read them after I’d booked!) but my experience was excellent.

Thanks for your help ……. Unfortunately I’ve just had to cancel our trip as he doesn’t have any valid photo ID for them to confirm his identity….. have a good evening Sara