Security Status
- Normal precautions
- High degree of caution
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Do not travel
- Overview
- Safety and Security
- Local Laws and Customs
- Health
- Entry requirements
- Embassy Contact
Overview
Overview
General COVID-19 Travel Advisory in Operation
For the latest update please read the General COVID-19 Travel Advisory >
Overview
Security status
Avoid non-essential travel
Security Status Last Updated: 17 March 2020
COVID-19
Travel to Eswatini from Ireland
The Irish government advises against all non-essential international travel at this time. Travel restrictions are in place to protect public health and to mitigate the risk of new variants of COVID-19 entering the country. Details of these restrictions are available on the travel section of the gov.ie website.
In weighing decisions to travel to Eswatini at this time, Irish citizens should take into consideration the risk of restrictions being introduced during their travel and, also, the impact which responding to COVID-19 may have on local health care systems over the course of their proposed visit.
In order to enter Eswatini you must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Upon arrival, you will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. If you do not present a negative COVID-19 test result on entry, or if you display COVID-19 symptoms, you will be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival at your own cost. You may be required to undergo a quarantine period not exceeding 14 days, or isolation as advised by the port health officers.
Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for Eswatini.
Travel to Ireland from Eswatini
Eswatini has been designated as a “Category 2 Country” by the Department of Health. Mandatory Hotel Quarantine now applies to all passengers arriving into Ireland from Category 2 countries after 4am on the morning of Friday, 26 March. This applies to all passengers coming from designated States, including those who have transited through a port or airport in a designated State, even if they stay airside or portside, in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Ireland, regardless of nationality. These passengers are now required to pre-book accommodation in a designated quarantine facility, and to pre-pay for their stay. The booking portal is now live. Details for passengers are listed on the website:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a6975-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/
You must also enter mandatory hotel quarantine if, regardless of which country you arrive from (designated and non-designated states), you do not provide evidence that you have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out no more than 72 hours before you arrive into Ireland.
Passengers will be required to complete 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine at a designated facility, this could be reduced if a passenger receives a not-detected result of a COVID-19 test that is taken after ten days. It may also be extended if a passenger tests positive during their stay.
All passengers arriving into Ireland are required to have a negative / ‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. Passengers will be asked to present evidence of their negative/‘not detected’ result before boarding their airplane or ferry, and will be required to produce this evidence to Immigration Officers on arrival at points of entry to the State. Children aged six and under are exempt from this requirement. For further details on inward travel to Ireland, including COVID-19-related requirements and the limited exemptions in place, please see www.gov.ie
With effect from 29 January 2021, the Department of Justice has temporarily ceased accepting new visa/preclearance applications globally.
Detailed information on Travel to Ireland can be found at COVID-19 Travel Advice gov.ie
See links below for details.
Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini
General Travel Advice
There are currently protests and demonstrations ongoing across Eswatini that have resulted in significant damage and loss of life. You should stay at home where possible and avoid protests, demonstrations, or marches. Travel after 6pm is not permitted whilst the curfew is in place. You should monitor local and social media for updates. See Safety and Security tab for further details.
Emergency Assistance
Because there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in Eswatini, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency situation. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Mozambique or you may contact the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 (0)1 408 2000.
We suggest you learn as much as you can about Eswatini before your trip from travel agents, tour operators and guide books. The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems when you’re in Eswatini, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.
Our tips for safe travels
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance, which covers all your intended activities
- Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly in an emergency, such as a natural disaster or a family emergency
- Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates
- Read our Topical ‘Know Before You Go’ guide
Safety and Security
Safety and Security
Safety and security
Political Situation
There are currently protests and demonstrations ongoing across Eswatini that have resulted in significant damage and loss of life. There are reports of roadblocks, looting and violence mainly targeted at government buildings. You should stay at home where possible and avoid protests, demonstrations, or marches. The Government of Eswatini has announced a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice. Flights operations out of KMIII International Airport have been suspended. Access to internet, telecommunications and certain social media platforms may be suspended. You should monitor local and social media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.
Crime
Always take sensible precautions while in Eswatini:
- Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place
- Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home
- Avoid showing large sums of money in public, especially if you’re alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business
- Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible
- Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations
Victim of crime
If you’re a victim of a crime while in Eswatini, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Mozambique if you need help.
Driving
If you want to drive:
- Bring your full Irish driving licence and your international driving permit and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
- Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights
Hiring a vehicle
If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.
Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).
Local Laws and Customs
Local Laws and Customs
Health
Health
Health
Get travel and medical insurance
Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Vaccinations
Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.
Evidence of vaccination (in the form of a certificate) can be a requirement for entry to some countries.
Medication
Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Additional information
If you are unsure about the entry requirements for Eswatini, including visa and other immigration information, ask your travel agent or contact the Embassy of Swaziland in London.
You can also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.
Passports
It’s advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Eswatini and you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad, we can help.
What we can do:
- Issue you a replacement passport that will let you finish your trip, or;
- Issue you with an emergency travel document to get you home.
We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you. As Ireland does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Eswatini there may be additional complications in processing and application for a new passport.
You should contact the Irish Embassy in Pretoria to find out what you need to do to apply for a passport. They will also be able to advise you on the fees which apply.
Embassy contact
Embassy Contact
We do not have an Embassy in Eswatini, please contact Embassy of Ireland Mozambique
Embassy of Ireland
Avenida Julius Nyerere 3630
Maputo
Mozambique
Tel: +258 21 501 700
Monday to Thursday, 08:00 – 16:30; Friday, 08:00 – 13:00
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