From Saturday, 16 January, all passengers arriving in Ireland will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a pre-departure PCR Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland, the Irish government stated on Tuesday evening, according to foreign media.

In response to the identification of a new strain of Covid-19 in the south-east of England and South Africa, the government has also imposed a 14-day isolation for all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa.

Requirement for proof of negative Covid-19 test or recovery from Covid-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States is likely to be imposed soon.

Nearly all air travellers will need to present a negative coronavirus test to enter the United States under expanded testing requirements announced on Tuesday.

Under the rules taking effect Jan. 26, nearly all travelers including U.S. citizens must show a negative test within three days of departure or documentation of recovery from Covid-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.