Message from Ambassador O'Neill
News
09 February 2021Message from Ambassador O’Neill. February 9th, 2021
Greetings to you all. I hope you are keeping well and keeping safe and well though this period of continued restrictions because of Covid19.
We started 2021 with a sense of relief that many of the difficulties of 2020 are behind us and things have to be better this year. In many ways, I think this is true. However, it will likely be several months – of continued compliance with public health advice and increased uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine before we see real benefits in terms of a decrease in restrictions and an increase in options for foreign travel.
Here in Jordan we have seen good progress over recent months – in terms of a reduction from the high number of daily infections in November, an increase in hospital capacity and a commencement of the national vaccination programme. However, as we know from our experience in Ireland, that curve can head upwards very easily, particularly with the existence of new variants of the virus. During the past week here in Jordan we have seen, once again, an increase in the number of confirmed cased reported.
Consular services
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Embassy is consular operations remain limited:
· Travel to Ireland: travel to Ireland is only permitted on an essential basis only. There are enhanced checks at Dublin airport, and around Ireland, ensuring people are abiding by these rules. If you are found to be travelling for non-essential reasons, you may be liable to pay a fine. On arrival to Ireland, there is now mandatory quarantine for all arriving passengers. You must quarantine at your place of residence – if you are in breach of these regulations, you may be liable to pay a fine. If you do not present a negative PCR test on arrival (taken within 72 hours prior to arrival), you will have to quarantine at a designated facility. For more information please visit www.gov.ie
· Travel to Jordan: Flights from the UK are currently suspended, and passengers who have been to the UK in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter Jordan. On arrival to Jordan, passengers must present a negative PCR test issued no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, and valid health insurance for their stay. On arrival, all passengers are subject to a PCR test – if this is positive, you must quarantine for 14 days. If negative, no quarantine restrictions apply. For further information please see Visit Jordan.
· Visas: the Embassy is only accepting applications (via VFS) for long stay Study and Employment visas. Unfortunately, it is still not possible to apply for any short term, or C, visa. These restrictions are likely to continue for another number of months. For more details, please visit the Embassy website and www.inis.ie
· Due to level 5 restrictions in Ireland, all Foreign Birth Registration and Passport applications are currently on hold. If you have an application pending, it will not be processed until the level 5 restrictions are reduced in Ireland. Of course, there are exemptions for emergency and humanitarian cases, please contact the Embassy for further information.
· If you have documents that need to be authenticated or notarized, the consular desk is still operating for this function. Unfortunately, documents can only be processed on an appointment basis only for the time being. Please contact the Embassy (AmmanEmExternalMail@dfa.ie) for further details.
Upcoming cultural/outreach events
· Jordan Friends of Ireland Group – this week, the Embassy will hold its first Jordan Friends of Ireland virtual meeting. This is a group of Jordanian citizens who have lived, worked, or have an affinity with Ireland. If you have previously lived, studied, or worked in Ireland, and are interested in engaging with this group, please contact the Embassy for further details, at AmmanEmExternalMail@dfa.ie
· St Brigid’s Day – this Friday, the Embassy will publish a virtual St Brigid’s Day celebration to its various platforms. Join us in celebrating La Le Bríde by learning of different marriage customs and traditions from Ireland, Jordan and around the world. This event can be viewed on our Facebook page and on our website.
· St Patrick’s Day – Although the Jordan St Patrick’s Day celebrations will be different this year, the Embassy is still planning on bringing you a week of celebration and engagement with Irish culture. Monitor our different platforms for updates. Some plans include virtual live performances of Irish music, film screenings, and cook-alongs.
·We are always interested in hearing from you – if you have any suggestions of the type of cultural engagement the Embassy can do, please feel free to contact us at AmmanEmExternalMail@dfa.ie
· Looking to have an Irish night in? The National Concert Hall is continuing its NCH At Home series, where you can tune in to a wide range of different concerts and events, from the comfort of your own home!
· Our colleagues in Embassy Bratislava organised a Christmas video featuring Slovak Irish music band Gemini, and Slovak Irish dance academy Avalon. Watch the beautiful performance here .
@IrlEmbJordan 
www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/jordan/ https://fb.me/irlembjordan |AmmanEmExternalMail@dfa.ie
Please stay safe and watch out for any friends who may be in need of assistance at this challenging time.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh