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Covid travel rules to change over Ukrainian refugees

The move is part of the Government's efforts to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to enter the Ireland
The move is part of the Government's efforts to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to enter the Ireland

The requirement for Covid certificates and passenger locator forms for those arriving into the country will end from midnight.

The move is part of the Government's efforts to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to enter Ireland.

The order to change the rules around travel will be signed by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly later today.

In the last week, more than 600 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and most are women.

They are staying mainly with friends or family members already living here.

The number of people from Ukraine who have arrived into the country through Dublin Airport in the last week has risen to 1,004.

Yesterday saw the highest number of arrivals with 383 Ukrainian people landing on flights into Dublin.

While the majority are staying with family and friends already living here, 135 sought accommodation from State services.

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90 days to apply for permission to stay here

People arriving here from Ukraine have been told that they don't have to apply for permission to stay in the country for 90 days.

A document setting out these rules will be handed to those coming here seeking refuge.

This document, which is also available in Ukrainian and Russian, says people should not feel under any pressure to quickly apply for permission to stay.

It says too that the State can provide Ukrainians with accommodation on arrival.

If people already have somewhere to stay they should provide an address to an immigration officer.

'Our doors are open' - English

Separately, Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Damien English said a mass evacuation from Ukraine could result in more than 20,000 Ukrainians coming to Ireland in total and they have to plan for all scenarios.

He said Ukrainians are coming here "of their own accord" for now and as time goes on it will become more coordinated through European levels.

He said they will be looking at using hotels and other accommodation to house Ukrainian refugees, and they will be able to use emergency powers to develop temporary housing solutions if required.

"This all has to be worked out. We will step up and already our doors are open and we are taking people in."

He said it is right Europe has opened its doors. "This is an important response, making it easy for Ukrainians to come live here and work here temporarily and into the mid-term."

He acknowledged that it will be difficult logistically to manage high numbers of refugees and it will require coordination with all the agencies.

He commended Irish people who have come forward with offers of accommodation.