Ireland may increase restrictions on arrivals from Covid hotspots, including the U.S

Ireland’s Green List of travel destinations was published yesterday

The Irish government is looking at increasing restrictions around arrivals from Covid-19 ‘hotspots’, including the U.S and Middle East.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney spoke about the publication of Ireland’s Green List, which includes increased measures for those arriving to Ireland.

These include “the introduction of an Electronic Passenger Locator Form, enhanced follow-up procedures, a call centre operated by the DAA [Dublin Airport], and a proposed testing regime for symptomatic passengers at airports and ports,”, the Government statement reads.

Coveney said that some areas could become ‘hotspots’ for Covid-19, and acknowledged that “there could be” further restrictions placed on travelers from these countries entering Ireland.

He said that by August 10, the Electronic Passenger Locator Form will be available online, and could become a prerequisite for travelling.

Coveney added that there will be random testing at airports for travelers coming from non-Green List countries.

The Green List of countries that people in Ireland can travel to without having to self-isolate upon their return was officially published last night after a delay. There are 15 countries currently on the list, which the Government will review every two weeks.

The countries are: Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Greece, Gibraltar, Greenland, Monaco, and San Marino.

However, official government advice remains to avoid all non-essential foreign travel.

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