[ad_1]
However, further confusion reigns as to where the Irish can travel with or without restrictions following plans to update the so-called ‘green list’ of countries next week.
The Irish would be allowed to visit places like Germany, Iceland and Cyprus next Monday without the need for a quarantine upon their return, before the current green list concept is shelved entirely next month in favor of a plan of ‘ traffic light ‘across the EU.
That stoplight plan is expected to be ratified in Luxembourg on Oct. 13 at the monthly meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, and it will see countries designated in green, amber and red, according to its Covid-19 instances.
Until then, countries where Covid-19 cases are currently less than 25 per 100,000 inhabitants will be considered safe for the Irish to travel from Monday.
That means Germany, Poland, Iceland and Sweden would be added to the Baltic states and Finland, currently on the list. However, Italy, Spain, France and Greece exceed that limit, disappointing those planning a getaway in the sun.
The Foreign Affairs Department said in response to inquiries on the updated list that it will “align our travel council with that of the EU Commission once it has been approved at EU level in October.”
An announcement about the changes to the green list will be made later in the week, he added.
The updated green light system will remain in effect with a weekly review of countries until the EU-wide traffic plan is implemented.
Green countries would mean there would be no quarantine or movement restrictions.
Industry bodies have criticized the plan, and Pat Dawson of the Irish Travel Agents Association said it has not provided the clarity that the industry desperately needs.
“We were disappointed to learn that there will be no further updates on the travel industry until October 13, a month from now,” said Mr. Dawson.
“We believe the government is simply postponing the results and putting the Irish travel industry on the long finger. A lot can change in a month.”
Ryanair, meanwhile, criticized the plan as “further delays and indecisions” by the government.
“Irish aviation and jobs are being sacrificed to cover up NPHET’s failure to keep our Covid rate as low as Germany and Italy, who have allowed air travel within the EU since July 1, while NPHET it has kept Ireland locked up like North Korea. ” said a spokesperson.
[ad_2]