NI COVID TRAVEL RULES: tests scrapped for vaccinated arrivals

The change come into effect on February 11

People arrive at Belfast International Airport
Author: Chelsie KealeyPublished 25th Jan 2022
Last updated 25th Jan 2022

Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red list countries into Northern Ireland will no longer be required to take a Covid-19 test or self-isolate.

The Department of Health has confirmed from 4.00am on February 11, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red list countries will only have to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form.

What if I’m not fully vaccinated?

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated will be required to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form, take a pre-departure test 48 hours before arriving at NI and book and pay for a day two PCR post arrival test.

These individuals will only be required to self-isolate if they test positive following the day two PCR test.

From 4.00am on 11 February, 16 further countries will be added to the eligible vaccination arrivals policy.

The DOH has also announced vaccine certificates will now be accepted from the following countries:

• Algeria

• Cape Verde

• China, El Salvador

• Guatemala

• Iran

• Kazakhstan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Macao SAR Special Administrative Region

• Mexico

• Sao Tome & Principe

• Sudan

• Timor-Leste

• Togo, Tonga

• Turkmenistan

No countries will be added to the red list.

Nightclubs remain closed

Contact in domestic settings is limited to three households

Customers are required to remain seated in hospitality settings, a maximum of 6 people, or 10 people from a single household is allowed at a table. (Children aged 12 and under are not counted in the total. This requirement does not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.)

Indoor seated and all outdoor events can proceed and it is strongly recommended that face coverings should be worn, LFD tests should be taken before attending events and there should be no multi-household travel in the same vehicle.

The 'work from home' message is encouraged and legislation introduced to require social distancing in workplace. Employers are encouraged to have lateral flow testing procedures for staff coming to work.

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