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One of the sectors most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic has been the aviation sector, with international travel practically paralyzed due to restrictions and the need to quarantine upon arrival in most countries.
The Republic of Ireland is currently operating a 14-day self-isolation period for travelers arriving in the country, but that may change in the coming weeks if the government decides to adopt the EU’s ‘traffic light system’ for travel within Europe. countries.
But what happened to the old green list?
It’s still there for now, but not for much longer. On Thursday it was confirmed that the remaining four countries remaining on the list (Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Liechtenstein) will be eliminated from midnight on Sunday, October 11.
If the green list didn’t work, how will the traffic light system differ?
It is true that on the surface, both systems operate under the same premise.
Ireland’s green list originally planned to add and remove countries as their incidence rates increased or decreased, but in reality, each update saw more and more countries being removed due to increasing numbers of Covid-19 both here and in the whole continent.
The traffic light system will work by giving the European regions the corresponding color (green, orange or red) according to data from the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) on the prevalence of the virus in each place. It will not be up to the Irish Government to decide what color to give each region, and these decisions are determined solely on the basis of ECDC data.
How are the different colors assigned in the traffic light system?
Green = 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 less than 25 and a positivity rate from all Covid-19 tests of less than 4 percent.
Orange = incidence rate of 14 days per 100,000 over 15, but under 50 and a positivity rate for all Covid-19 tests more than 4 percent.
Red = 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 greater than 50 and a positivity rate from all Covid-19 tests of more than 4 percent.
Gray will be assigned to countries that have not provided sufficient data.
But what will the different levels really mean?
Good question, and the answer is: we are not sure yet.
The belief is that passengers from eco-rated countries would not have to self-quarantine when arriving in another EU country participating in the system, while travelers from orange fare countries may have to undergo a Covid test sooner or later. to arrive.
Passengers from red-rated countries will likely still have to isolate themselves upon arrival, but “countries would be free to determine what action to take,” according to Reuters.
When will this system be adopted?
Most EU countries have agreed to adopt the system and it will be formally implemented next week.
Ireland is likely to sign up as well, and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan admitted on Wednesday: “The current green list is not working,” but rapidly rising rates of the virus across Europe may mean the system is not improving. the travel possibilities for the moment.
Despite this, Aer Lingus and Ryanair have called on the government to adopt the system as a means to improve international travel rates after a hellish year for their industry.
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