How Spain, Portugal and other holiday destinations are looking at the COVID situation in Ireland ahead of the winter break

Some of the best holiday destinations for Irish tourists are keeping an eye on the Covid situation here ahead of an expected surge in people seeking the winter sun.

Nearly 7,000 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the past two days in Ireland.

But the government does not want any measures to be reinstated, as one of the sources said, «We will need to see a significant shift in the pattern of disease affecting our health services.»

One of the main measures that could come back is an international travel ban – but that is unlikely thanks to the introduction of EU Digital Covid certification.

This allows free movement of EU residents across the continent, provided they are vaccinated.

However, travelers are advised that they are not 100% safe from contracting the virus when outside, particularly in areas where the virus is common.

And this is where Ireland appears to be struggling.

Spain

All travelers Arrival in Spain by air or By the sea, including children of any age, passengers in transit to other countries and repatriated residents of Spain, must fill out a health monitoring form before departure.

All travelers come from Countries and regions considered at risk A document evidencing vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 or a negative result of an active infection diagnosis test must be submitted

Portugal

Travel to Portugal from EU and Schengen associate countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) is permitted for essential and non-essential travel reasons.

All passengers must fill out a Passenger Locator Card prior to departure for Portugal, or hold an EU digital COVID certificate or negative COVID-19 test prior to departure.

EUDCC holders are allowed to enter Portugal, without being subject to further restrictions (testing or quarantine), provided that their certificate contains either:

• vaccination proof;
• Evidence of recovery from COVID-19;
• negative result for COVID-19 testing.
  Both Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen tests been accepted.
  Power: 72 hours for PCR tests, 48 hours for RAT . tests

Italy

Ireland is currently on List C of the Italian government’s Covid plan.

For all those who, within the fourteen days preceding entry into Italy, have resided in or passed through one or more of the States and Territories referred to in List C, the legislation provides that upon entry into Italy the following will be mandatory:

• Fill out the Digital Passenger Locator form before entering Italy. The form replaces the self-certification submitted to the transport operator.
• Submit the certificate or its equivalent in one of the following languages: Italian, English, French or Spanish, showing one of the following conditions:

Freedom of movement to and from these countries is permitted for any reason, and therefore also for tourism, As long as you do not reside in or pass through one of the existing countries List E. In the 14 days prior to entering Italy – including the UK.