Coronavirus: Non-essential travel could be restricted in Ireland

Options are being prepared for the Irish government over restricting non-essential travel from countries outside the UK and European Union, according to the Republic’s health minister.

Stephen Donnelly said he was “concerned about high rates” of coronavirus in some countries, in a tweet on Sunday.

The number of travel-related cases in Ireland is currently thought to be low.

However, Mr Donnelly said “the risk is increasing”.

According to the minister, his department will finalize the proposals “as soon as possible” and present them to the government for discussion.

On Friday, restrictions were placed in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, to restrict residents from traveling above these counties, except in limited circumstances.

Speaking after they came into force, Mr Donnelly said the government was “investigating measures” to prevent non-essential international travel.

A ‘green list’ for international travel was published by the Irish government in July, describing countries where you can travel without having to enter a 14-day quarantine return.

Cyprus, Gibraltar, Malta, Monaco and San Marino were removed from the list last Tuesday, when the government also decided not to move to Phase Four of its Covid recovery plan.

Advice of the Republic National Emergency Team of the Republic remains that all non-essential foreign travel should be avoided, regardless of whether a country is on the green list or not.