Three dedicated testing sites open offering quick free test in Wexford and Dublin

A new COVID-19 testing site has now opened in Holmestown, Wexford for hauliers travelling by ferry from Ireland to France. Following a decision by the French Government, drivers must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours of embarking a ferry from Ireland direct to France. There are now three dedicated testing sites open for hauliers, Light Goods Vehicle drivers and coach drivers travelling from Dublin and Rosslare ports direct to France.

The antigen tests are free and can be taken at the following locations:

• Holmestown Civic Amenity Facility, Holmestown Waste Management facility, accessible from the N25 in Holmestown, Wexford
• Gorey (Circle K) Motorway Service Area, Wexford, accessible from the M11
• Dublin Airport’s Blue Long Stay Car Park, signposted from M1 Junction 2 (Airport) and M50 Junction 4 (Ballymun)

All commercial vehicle drivers (Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers, Lights Goods Vehicle drivers or Coach drivers) travelling from Ireland to France must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test to carry out their journey. Proof of a negative test result is required to board ferries and to enter France.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD said: 

Direct services to the continent are a critical part of Ireland’s supply chain. To make it easier for our hauliers to meet the requirements set by France, we have now established another dedicated antigen testing centre at Holmestown in Wexford which is free of charge. All three sites at Dublin, Gorey and Holmestown are now open and we invite drivers heading to France to pre book their test at the facilities.

Minister of State with special responsibility for International Road Transport and Logistics at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, said:

There are three state-supported antigen testing facilities open which can be availed of by all commercial drivers travelling from Ireland to France by ferry, including hauliers from Northern Ireland. The Department of Transport has worked closely with Wexford County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to set up this service which allows drivers take a test with results available within the hour.

Drivers are encouraged to pre-book their test at https://rocdochealthcheck.ie/get-tested.html as early as possible and to bring proof of their ferry booking to these sites when attending for a COVID-19 test, along with a form of photo identification, ideally their digital tachograph card.

Drivers undertaking a COVID-19 antigen test at one of the sites on the day of their ferry departure should pre-book their test and allow plenty of time. They also have the option to get their test earlier, as long as it is within 72 hours prior to boarding the ferry to France, and they can provide proof of their ferry booking (if attending one of the dedicated testing sites).

Testing is available for hauliers at other RocDoc facilities around the country however drivers will need to access these other facilities by car. 

Drivers may also get tested at the many private facilities available around the country, as long as these tests meet the French requirements, but these costs will not be covered by the State – visit https://covid-19.sante.gouv.fr/tests for further information.

Drivers will also need to carry with them a signed “declaration of honour” form for the French authorities, confirming that he/she has no COVID-19 symptoms and that he/she has not been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days. A dedicated form for HGV drivers travelling from Ireland to France is now available in English at: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Deplacement-des-transporteurs-routiers-internationaux. The completed “declaration of honour” form must also be shown to the ferry operator before boarding and to French authorities if requested upon arrival.

Further information on COVID-19 testing requirements for HGV drivers travelling to France and a FAQ is available here.

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