Executive Ministers expected to gather to discuss restrictions on travel

By Connor Stringer

Ministers forming the Northern Ireland Executive are expected to meet on Thursday to discuss coronavirus travel restrictions, it is understood.

Currently, members of the public arriving in Northern Ireland, from a selection of 50 countries, are not required to quarantine.

The Executive agreed on the changes at the beginning of July, which had previously subjected anyone entering the country outside of the Common Travel Area to self-isolate for 14 days.

RoI's 'green list' include Malta, Finland, Norway and Cyprus. Credit: Getty Images 

The meeting comes just days after the Republic of Ireland announced a 'green list', that did not include the UK, France or Spain. 

The Irish Government said the list would be 'reviewed' on a fortnightly basis, 'based on advice from officials including public health experts.'

A statement said:  "Following a meeting of the Cabinet this evening, the Government has agreed that the following locations be included as Normal Precautions on the Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice: Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco, and San Marino.

"Anyone arriving in Ireland from these countries will not have to restrict their movements.  Passengers from any other country outside of those with a Normal Precautions advisory are asked to restrict their movements for 14 days.

"The list will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis, based on advice from officials including public health experts.

"There is no change to the current policy in respect of travel from Northern Ireland.

"The Government will continue with plans to strengthen the existing measures for monitoring passengers who arrive into Ireland, including the introduction of an Electronic Passenger Locator Form, enhanced follow-up procedures, a call centre operated by the DAA, and a proposed testing regime for symptomatic passengers at airports and ports.

"Processes to restrict flight or passenger travel in certain circumstances will also be explored.

"In conjunction with these preventative measures, there will be a renewed communications campaign across all platforms to ensure maximum public awareness of the latest advice.

"The Pandemic is not over