Government advise against non-essential travel to six European countries

The Government have advised against non-essential travel to six European countries.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed the news on Saturday, as he urged Irish citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution when making travel plans." He also said that the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland is now advising against non-essential travel to Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland and Slovakia. The government continues to advise against non-essential travel to Spain, which declared a state of emergency over coronavirus on Friday. They also advise no travel to Italy.

Many countries imposing travel restrictions due to #COVID19 Irish citizens should now exercise a high degree of caution when making travel plans.@dfatirl now advising against non-essential travel to Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Spain & No travel to Italy. pic.twitter.com/mGTdFjJint

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) March 14, 2020

On Friday, Minister for Health Simon Harris asked anybody returning to Ireland from Spain or Italy to restrict their movements over the coming weeks. Those entering the country from these areas are not being asked to self isolate, but to work from home if possible and to reduce their social interactions until March 29. Harris told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the decision was made to lessen the spread of the coronavirus.

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said all people coming back from Spain and Italy are being asked to restrict their movements for the next two weeks, which means not going to work | Read more coronavirus coverage: https://t.co/839hgCRs1u pic.twitter.com/9kqQLzY8Ck

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 13, 2020

"It is not quite self-isolate, but to restrict their movements," he said. "Anyone returning from Italy and Spain will be met by environmental health workers on their return at the airport and told to restrict their movements. "Where we are telling people it is unnecessary to travel to, we will then have to ask them to take additional precautions when they return to this country."