Covid Protocols when travelling to the USA

PLEASE NOTE THE BELOW APPLIES TO ALL PASSENGERS BOARDING A FLIGHT TO THE USA - THIS MEANS EVEN THOSE THAT ARE ONLY TRANSITTING THROUGH THE USA TO GO ONTO ANOTHER COUNTRY EG MEXICO/CANADA ETC

Once in the USA, any passengers connecting to another US city do not have to take any further tests to board their next flight.

ALL ADULTS 18 & OVER

• Must be fully vaccinated - 2 vaccinations at least 14 days before travel and be able to provide official cert either in hard copy or on phone

IN ADDITION

• Must provide a negative PCR or Antigen test (not self tested) taken within ONE day prior to travelling to the USA or provide a recovery certificate that shows you have recovered from Covid within the last 90 days before travel. You must also provide a letter from a healthcare professional along with the recovery cert.
• Must complete the Attestation form. This is a document that is collected at the airport by the airline before boarding pass can be released.

**Please note we are clarifying with the airlines if this can be completed at the airport, and how you will complete the track and trace info required

ALL PASSENGERS AGE 2-17 NOT VACCINATED

• If NOT fully vaccinated and travelling with parent or guardian, must provide a negative PCR or Antigen test (not self tested) taken within the 3 days prior to travelling to the USA
• Or NOT fully vaccinated, must show proof from medical healthcare professional that they have recovered from covid within 90 days of travel
• Or NOT fully vaccinated and not travelling with a parent or guardian must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 1 day before travelling to the USA
• Must take a further PCR or antigen test within 3-5 days of arrival into the USA - please note you are required to keep the record of the result as may be contacted through the Track and Trace programme
• Must complete the Attestation form

OTHER POINTS TO NOTE

• ESTA - as many ESTAs were invalidated as travel to the USA was not possible until 8th November, check their ESTA status on the ESTA website, the week before travel
• If you have a current ESTA and you have changed your passport since applying for your ESTA, you need to apply for a new ESTA as your ESTA has to match with your current passport number.
• We recommend passengers to download the relevant airline app as it allows them to upload all their required documents and will advise them that they are 'ready to travel'

DOCUMENT SAFETY

• As most passengers have their documents stored on their mobile phone, please ensure your phone is always well charged! Wherever possible it is a good idea to have a printed copy also.

RETURN TO IRELAND

LOCATOR FORM: To be completed online prior to arriving back in Ireland

https://travel.eplf.gov.ie/en

PASSENGERS 18 AND OVER

• Must be fully vaccinated or
• Provide proof of recovery from medial practitioner

PASSENGERS 12-17

• If not vaccinated, must provide negative PCR test taken within 72 p[rior to returning to Ireland

PASSENGER 11 AND UNDER

• Dot not need to provide a negative PCR test on returning to Ireland