"I think in terms of people booking flights for Christmas to come home, I'd advise them not to do that at the moment."
Irish people abroad have been advised by Leo Varadkar not to book flights home for Christmas.
Speaking on Thursday, the Tánaiste said that he believes it is "too soon" for Irish people abroad to be booking flights home, as the situation is just too unpredictable.
He told the Dáil: "I think in terms of people booking flights for Christmas to come home, I'd advise them not to do that at the moment.
"I know that's difficult, I know that's tough but Christmas is six weeks away - and it's too soon now I think for people to be booking flights to come home".
He then compared the situation to a foot-and-mouth outbreak in 1967 where people were also asked not to come home from abroad, which he was watching on Reeling in the Years recently.
"We're not in a position at this point to advise people that it's safe to come home for Christmas. I know it's a tough message to hear, but that is the case at the moment."
This comes shortly after
CMO Tony Holohan cast fresh doubt over people returning at Christmas.
When asked about whether a new traffic light system could be a potential way of operating, Holohan said that "The vast majority of countries are red and getting redder."
