Protocols for arriving DCU students

Aug 16, 2021 6:08:00 AM

The DCU International Office has been coordinating very closely with the Irish government and other Irish institutions to ensure clear arrival protocols for new and returning international students. DCU will also be setting up an FAQ page on its website soon. Here is a copy of the university's letter to incoming international students outlining all the procedures and requirements that need to be met.

 

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Dear students,

 

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Dublin City University for the 2021/2022 academic year. 

 

While, unfortunately, the COVID-19 virus has had a devastating impact on many friends, families and communities around the world, we have been encouraged by the re-opening of Irish society and the successful vaccine rollout over the past number of months.  Based on this, we continue to plan for an academic year that will allow for increased on-campus activity and interaction.  However, it is of critical importance that we continue to play our part, institutionally and individually, in minimising the risks of COVID-19 transmission. 

 

As we enter a new academic year, all of our students will be required to demonstrate great diligence, maturity, and personal responsibility, in their behaviours and actions, to protect themselves, their fellow students, and the wider University and regional communities from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.  In this regard, from the time of your arrival in Ireland, you will be required to comply with Irish law and Irish public health guidelines.

 

Therefore, DCU has been working diligently with colleagues from across the higher education sector to prepare an arrivals protocol for students travelling from outside of Ireland. If you are currently based in Ireland, please disregard this email.  Information regarding this protocol will be available on the Education in Ireland website and DCU website and it will be updated regularly with any new information.  In order to assist you with your travel preparations, we have included some important steps below.  

 

Before You Travel

  1. To support your arrival in Ireland, you must complete this online Student Arrival Form as soon as your travel details are confirmed and no later than 7 days before your departure in order to confirm your arrival date and time, airline, flight number accommodation and airport transport requirements. Please finish reading all of this communication before completing the Arrival Form.

  2. You are required by law to download and fill out the Irish Government COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form before you arrive.

 

Vaccinations

  • In line with the EU, Ireland has outlined a list of approved vaccines for travel into the country.  This information can be found here.  Currently the list of approved vaccines are:

A full course of any one of the following vaccines Regarded as fully vaccinated after
2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®) 7 days
2 doses of Moderna Vaccine: CX-024414 (Moderna®) 14 days
2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine: ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (Vaxzevria® or Covishield) 15 days
1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine: Ad26.COV2-S [recombiant] (Janssen®) 14 days

 

 

Travel Categories

  1. Ireland has implemented an arrival system based on the country of origin for any flights (including transfers) and individual vaccination status.  Therefore, it will be important for you to understand how you will be classified when you arrive in Ireland (RED, AMBER or GREEN status). The most up to date information regarding travel categories can be found on the Irish government website or the Citizens Advice website. 

  2. Prior to travel, students requiring Mandatory Hotel Quarantine or the 5 Day PCR test should book online. The PCR test is free if booked in advance, but any cost incurred due to Mandatory Hotel Quarantine is the responsibility of the student. 

  3. As it stands currently, travel categories will be determined by the following:

Green status: 

Arriving from EU/EEA (and not outside the EU/EEA in 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland)

With valid Digital Covid Certificate (DCC)

  

Standard public health measures

  

Advised to observe public health restrictions and to present for post-arrival testing if symptomatic.

Greet and Transfer service will guide to appropriate airport transfer options.

Without valid DCC/ No DCC

  

As above

+ Required negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival)

Advised to observe public health restrictions and to present for post-arrival testing if symptomatic.

Greet and Transfer service will guide to appropriate airport transfer options.

 

Arriving from outside EU/EEA not on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’)
 
Proof of vaccination Standard Public Health Measures As above

 

Amber status: 

Arriving from outside EU/EEA not on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’)

No proof of vaccination

As above

+ Self-Quarantine

+ Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival)

+ Post-arrival HSE PCR test

As above

+ Provision of supports for self-quarantine 

+ Refer students to a HSE test post arrival 

 

Arriving from countries outside EU/EEA on the designated state list (‘emergency brake’)

Proof of vaccination

As above

+ Self-Quarantine

+ Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival)

+ Post-arrival HSE PCR test

As above

+ Provision of supports for self-quarantine

+ Refer students to HSE test post arrival 

 

Red status: 

No proof of vaccination

  

MHQ-Mandatory Hotel Quarantine

Require negative PCR test (<72 hours before arrival)

 Post-arrival HSE PCR test

Managed by the State

Pre-Booked (before arrival) by traveler

 

 

On Arrival at Dublin Airport

A national ‘Greet & Transfer’ service for international students will be running at Dublin Airport from the 1st August. There will be a dedicated ‘Greet & Transfer desk’ in the arrivals halls (both terminals 1 & 2) at Dublin Airport and you should follow the signage saying ‘International Higher Education Greet & Transfer Service’. The team will have your arrival details (if you’ve completed the online form above) and will coordinate your onward transport from the airport. This is a free service and you are not required to make any payment for transport from the airport, on the basis that you complete the arrival form. If you do not complete the arrival form, you will need to arrange and pay for your own travel arrangements.

 

Important Documents

  1. You are advised to have the following documents in your hand luggage when you arrive in Ireland to present at border control:

    1. Passport (with your valid entry visa if you require one)

    2. DCU Offer Letter or Certificate of Attendance

    3. Evidence of Guardianship Letter (if applicable)

    4. Accommodation details (confirmation of booking or address you will be staying at when you arrive)

    5. Written confirmation of your COVID-19 test results (if required)

    6. Written or digital confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination (please check that your vaccination is recognised in Ireland).

    7. Completed Irish Government COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form.

  2. In addition, non-EU students must have the following additional documents on hand:

    1. Evidence of private medical health insurance with detailed coverage information

    2. Evidence of tuition fees paid, scholarship, sponsorship or funding details (e.g. US Financial Aid) (if applicable)

    3. Evidence that you have access to at least €3,000.

 

 

Accommodation

  1. If you will be living in DCU Accommodation, we would suggest that you plan to arrive in Dublin sometime between the 28th August - 4 September.  This will allow you to complete any necessary isolation.  

  2. If you will be arriving outside of these dates, please make sure to get in touch with DCU Accommodation at campus.residences@dcu.ie to confirm any additional booking and costs.

  3. If you will be living in private rented accommodation, please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are following any restrictions and/or guidelines laid out by the Irish government and public health bodies.

 

Your first weeks in Dublin

  1. There will be a series of social and cultural events (virtual and in-person) organised for international students throughout the month of September, check out this page for further details.

 

8. Further Information

  1. Up-to-date public health advice, including quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements.

  2. What to expect at Dublin Airport, including safety measures and FAQs.

 

We advise that you continue to monitor your health in the lead-up to your departure. Should you display any COVID-19 symptoms prior to your departure, we ask that you seek medical advice as a matter of urgency and defer your travel plans. DCU will be in touch with you again shortly to provide details of an online health briefing to help you better understand the public health advice in Ireland.

If your queries are not answered via the above FAQs, please contact dcuarrivals@dcu.ie if you have a question about the arrival process.  Look out for more emails as we will send further information and details as they become available!

Safe travels and we look forward to welcoming you to Ireland.

All the best, 

DCU Arrivals Team

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