Malta and Cyprus are among a number of countries removed from the Green List of places deemed safe for travel without quarantine, it has been announced.
A significant spike in coronavirus cases in Malta has raised concerns about allowing people travel to the region without requiring them to self-isolate for two weeks on their return to Ireland.
The country had previously featured on the list alongside 15 other nations which included Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Monaco, San Marino and Slovakia.
However now, along with Malta, Cyprus, San Marino, Gibraltar and Monaco have all been removed from the list due to deteriorating conditions.
It comes as Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced Ireland would not move to phase four of the roadmap next week.
Pubs, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will not be allowed to reopen.
The limit on both indoor and outdoor gatherings will not be increased, meaning more fans will not be able to attend GAA or League of Ireland matches.
The decision to hold off on moving to the next phase of Ireland's roadmap comes after a large spike in new cases over the past week.
The measures announced today will be reviewed again in three weeks time.
The wearing of phase coverings in shops is also set to be made mandatory next week.
The Government has repeatedly said its main priority is the reopening of schools at the end of the month.
Concerns have been raised over the rising number of Covid-19 cases and clusters in recent weeks.
On Monday, there were 45 new coronavirus infections reported, bringing the total number of infections to 26,208 in the Republic.
