The long overdue publication of a green list of 15 countries is meaningless and likely to add to public confusion about the public health message from NPHET not to undertake non-essential foreign travel, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats.
Deputy Shortall said:
“The publication of the green list brings no real surprises in terms of the small number of countries featured. It is critical that this list is kept under constant review in light of the rapidly changing behaviour of the Covid-19 virus. However, what is much more important is that the Government spell out how they will control the importation of the virus from those countries which are not on the green list and which are regarded as unsafe and high risk.
“We have repeatedly called for a red list of countries that have high rates of Covid-19 infection and believe that tighter controls are needed for travellers from those areas.
“The priority has to be the safe reopening of the economy and our schools. The publication of this green list will do little or nothing to advance this objective.”
ENDS
July 21, 2020