Covid-19 Update – 13 March 2020

News

The situation regarding Covid-19 is a developing one and measures outlined below are subject to change. We advise checking latest regulations on the websites of the relevant authorities, which can be found below.

Irish citizens abroad should register with the Embassy to provide contact details. This will enable us to notify you quickly of any major developments. Please also follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter for updates. You can also download the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Travelwise app to your smartphone.

For up-to-date figures on country rates of Covid-19, please consult the World Health Organisation’s daily situation reports.

Ireland

Travellers to Ireland from certain countries with a high rate of Covid-19 may be subject to self-isolation upon entering. This includes Irish citizens and long-term residents who are returning from trips to such locations.  

As of 12 March, Ireland has introduced the following measures as part of the effort to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19:

• Individuals who have symptoms should self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
• Individuals should reduce discretionary social contacts as much as possible.
• Elderly and/or medically vulnerable people should reduce as much as possible contacts outside home.
• There should be no mass gatherings involving more than 100 people if located indoors or involving more than 500 people if located outdoors.
• Closure of museums, galleries and tourism sites.
• Closure of schools, crèches, other childcare facilities and higher education institutions.
• Reduction of workplace contacts where possible and implementation of remote working practices and teleconferencing where possible. Work time and break times should be staggered, where possible.
• Restriction of visiting at hospitals, long-term care settings, mental health facilities, prisons, and spacing measures in homeless shelters.

Further information is available from:

• Irish Government News Service
• Health Service Executive
• Health Protection Surveillance Centre
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Bulgaria

As of 13 March, Bulgaria has declared a State of Emergency for a period of one month, during which travel to and from certain countries with a high rate of Covid-19 may be restricted. The list of relevant countries is subject to change depending on Covid-19 rates. Other measures such as closure of schools, universities, bars etc. are to be implemented. Please monitor the situation through the Embassy’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as local media and contact the Embassy at sofiaconsular@dfa.ie if you have specific concerns. If you register your contact details through our Citizens’ Registration system, the Embassy will be able to contact you quickly in the event of any major developments.

Georgia and Armenia

Georgia and Armenia have placed restrictions on travel from certain countries with high rates of Covid-19 and have taken various internal measures to limit transmission.

• For up-to-date information on the situation in Georgia please visit StopCov.ge.
• For up-to-date information on the situation in Armenia, please visit the websites of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

General advice

Be alert to common signs of Covid-19 infection: respiratory problems, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Seek medical advice if you experience these symptoms.

Health Service Executive (HSE) medical advice to protect yourself from getting COVID-19:

Do:

• wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub;
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze;
• put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands.

Don’t:

• touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the website of the Health Service Executive.

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