Should you stay or should you go?

Well, to be honest you should stay unless you absolutely need to travel abroad, but the government's recent release of their travel green list has led to much intrigue, confusion, and of course, frustration. The travel list, issued this morning, provides a list of countries upon which the Irish government has removed movement restrictions around overseas travel. However, the government and the HSE are still very much advising against all non-essential travel - green list or not. Here's everything you need to know about the update. What countries are included on the green list? The countries included on the first green list are:

• Malta
• Finland
• Norway
• Italy
• Hungary
• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Cyprus
• Slovakia
• Greece
• Greenland
• Gibraltar
• Monaco
• San Marino

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC7zL19DR-d/ What does being included on the green list mean?  The countries included on the green list are those the government has deemed to have similar or lower Covid-19 transmission levels to Ireland. This means that these countries are technically safer to travel to than those not included on the list. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the HSE have advised against all non-essential travel, regardless of what countries are on the list. Essential travel could include travelling abroad for commercial reasons, to care for a loved one, or to visit family. What happens if I travel to these countries?  Anybody travelling to and from the countries on the green list will not have to self isolate for 14 days upon returning to Ireland. Anybody travelling to and from any countries not on the green list will have to self isolate for 14 days upon returning. As mentioned above, the government has advised against travelling outside of Ireland unless absolutely necessary. "The Pandemic is not over and the public health advice remains the same," they said in a statement. "The safest thing to do is not to travel." Why is Italy on the list?  The green list is comprised of countries that have a similar or lower Covid-19 rate to Ireland. Despite becoming the epicentre of the virus back in March, Italy currently has even lower rates of transmission than Ireland, making it safe to go there - if you have to. So, should I go on holiday or not?  In short, no. The government has advised against all non-essential travel, and unfortunately, that does not include your mid-summer jaunt to Mykonos. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the HSE are still encouraging the public to holiday within the island of Ireland to maintain the slow spread of the virus, however if your journey is essential, the above list of countries will not require travellers to quarantine upon returning to Ireland. The green list is expected to be updated in two weeks' time.