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Ireland’s ‘Green List’ of countries that people can travel to without restricting their movements upon return has been further reduced.
The revised list, which goes into effect today, is made up of just four countries: Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Liechtenstein.
The ‘Green List’ uses a limit of 25 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, with increasing incidences in Germany (27.0), Iceland (90.4), Lithuania (27.5) and Poland (25.6 ) that lead to their elimination after just one week.
Liechtenstein (20.8) is the only new addition: a small state without an airport.
The list is updated every Thursday, and the changes will take effect the following Monday, as a stopgap measure until a new European system of “traffic lights” for travel is approved.
The Common European Approach is expected to be in place from mid-October and will see countries color-coded as red, orange or green based on a weekly assessment of their 14-day incidence of Covid-19 by the European Center for Prevention. of Diseases and Control (ECDC). Other metrics, such as the percentage rate of positive cases, will also be a factor.
Under the proposed system, ‘green’ countries would have 25 or fewer cases per 100,000 inhabitants, ‘orange’ countries would have between 25 and 50 per 100,000, and ‘red’ countries would have more than 50.
Aer Lingus and Ryanair have expressed disappointment at Ireland’s tentative approach, as it does not include ‘orange’ countries like Italy, Greece or Sweden.
However, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that different countries can opt for the ‘traffic light’ system in different ways.
“It’s still a bit up in the air and there will certainly be flexibility as to how different countries treat amber and red,” he said.
“Green will be green, there is no question about that, but amber and red can be treated differently by different countries, either in tests or restricted movements.”
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also noted that travelers should be aware of any restrictions at their destination.
Ireland’s 14-day average is currently 71.6 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents, well above the “red” threshold.
The figures mean that travelers from Ireland to Cyprus must show negative results on arrival, for example, while those traveling to Latvia must isolate there for 10 days.
Meanwhile, calls for a pre-departure testing regime in Ireland have increased to supplement the proposed “traffic light” system, remove quarantines and help restore confidence in travel.
Dublin and Cork airports are reportedly in talks about setting up potential testing centers, with the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) saying it was in favor of pre-departure testing.
“Covid-19 testing has progressed rapidly since March,” he said.
“ITAA believes that the use of rapid, accurate, easy-to-use and affordable test measures could be an interim solution and have a positive effect on air travel in the weeks and months to come.”
The Health Department last week told the Irish independent that additional travel measures are being considered, “including the nature of any testing regime.”
However, he also pointed to what he called the “elevated risk of imported Covid-19 cases” through international travel.
“The measures we have taken in relation to international travel have been essential in curbing the spread of the disease in Ireland,” the Department said in a statement.
According to government data, around 2% of cases in Ireland are related to “travel abroad”, a figure that has been stable since June.
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