Ireland’s National Public Health Emergency Team has offered the following advice:

Anyone who has been to an affected region in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP.

Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP.

Anyone who has been to an affected region in the last 14 days, and are well, should visit www.HSE.ie for advice.

The HSE have a dedicated advice page for those who have been in an affected area recently. You can read their advice here

In the first instance, contact your travel provider (i.e. airline or tour operator) who will advise you about your ability to reclaim costs for trips which have been cancelled or curtailed.

If you booked separate accommodation yourself (i.e. not through a travel agent or tour operator) then you will need to check the Terms and Conditions of your booking, or look to your travel insurance to recover money.

If your flight is cancelled for any reason, your airline must offer you the choice between the following:

• Re-routing as soon as possible, subject to availability, free of charge.

• Re-routing at a later date.

• A full refund

You may also have certain assistance and compensation rights. See www.flightrights.ie

The cover provided by travel insurance policies varies please refer to your insurance provider for details.

If you're travelling to a country that the DFA hasn't issued an "avoid non-essential travel" or "do not travel" warning for, then you will be covered for medical expense according to your insurance policy.

If you're travelling in Europe, we would advise you to ensure you have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This allows you get healthcare in another EU or European Economic Area (EEA) state for free, or at a reduced cost.

If the DFA issues an “avoid non-essential travel” warning for your destination, then you may be eligible to choose between alternative travel arrangements or a refund of your holiday cost. Please check with your travel provider or travel company.

If there is no advice against travel to your destination, if you don't want to go, you’re free to make that choice, but there's no obligation on your holiday company to give you a refund. Normal cancellation charges will apply. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to claim any cancellation charge on your insurance as there isn’t normally cover for disinclination to travel but you can check the terms of your policy.

Quarantined guests can consult their Travel Agent, the local authorities, travel insurance and consular protection for further assistance.

You can reduce the risk of infection by:

• Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections

• Frequently washing your hands properly with soap and water

• Using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser

• Properly covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze

• Washing/Sanitising your hands after coughing or sneezing

• Avoiding touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth)

• Avoiding close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals

 

You can read the HSE's information on the Coronavirus and advice here.