Late on Tuesday night, the Cabinet published a green list of 15 countries to which Covid-19 travel restrictions do not apply.
The countries are: Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino. While Spain and France are not on the list, Gibraltar and Monaco are enclaved within those two countries, respectively.
Anyone travelling to Ireland from these countries is advised to take normal precautions, and will not face a 14-day quarantine period upon their return.
The list contradicts the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team, which has repeatedly advised people to avoid all non-essential travel.
Last month, then-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said: "What worries me most now is travel from overseas and I fear many planning foreign trips. 2020 is a year for a staycation. Stay in Ireland, spend locally and follow public health advice."
Yesterday, NPHET announced that there had been 36 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed, the biggest single-day increase the country has seen since 26 May.
