The government's advice against all non-essential international travel has been extended until July 20th.
A potential 'green list' of countries people can travel to safely is due to be published in two weeks' time.
However, that list will be reviewed every two weeks and will likely change if the health situation in one of those countries escalates.
The government will assess three areas for deciding whether a country will make its green list:
- The number of new cases over the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants
- The trend in new cases in comparison to the previous 14 days
- The countries testing and traceing capabilities
Taoiseach Micheal Martin says their cautious approach is deliberate:
"Public health officials are very very worried about this and very cautious and advising a cautious approach in order to ensure that community transmission in Ireland is very low."
"I'm very concerned about the schools. I want children back in school at the end of August. I don't want anything to jeopardise that".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney says "For now the advice is very, very clear: don't travel abroad, unless it's essential."
"People are looking for clarity from Government, and they're getting it today: the advice is not changing".
