The peak summer travel season might be over but Irish sunseekers are still jetting off in their droves to warmer climes.
Spain is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from Ireland thanks to its mix of good weather, enticing beaches and cultural attractions.
Holidaymakers considering making the trip to the European nation were given another reason to visit following a positive update on Thursday evening.
The country is now deemed "low risk" from Covid-19, according to Spain's coronavirus alert system.
This is down to the fact that the 14-day incidence rate of the virus per 100,000 of the population has dropped to 48.92.
It means that for the first time since July 2020, the incidence rate is below 50, as news outlet El Pais reports.
Spain now has one of the lowest rates of the virus in the EU despite the majority of restrictions being lifted.
This is reflected in new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Every week, the ECDC publishes new maps to support the EU Council's recommendation on travel measures across the bloc during the pandemic.
According to new information published on Thursday, Spain is among the countries faring the best when it comes to Covid-19.
Most regions are 'green' or 'orange', meaning the incidence rates there are under 75 per 100,000 of the population.
Only a few areas are 'red', indicating the 14-day incidence rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 of the population is more than 200 but less than 500.
In comparison, all of Ireland is 'red' on the map. As of Thursday, the incidence rate here stood at 360.
The other nations where Covid rates are low are France, Italy, Portugal and Poland.
All of Portugal is 'orange', while France is a mixture of 'green' and 'orange' regions and only one area in Italy is 'red'.
In contrast, Greece, another country popular with Irish holidaymakers, is mostly 'red'.
The latest maps published by the ECDC on Thursday were for the weeks 38 to 39 of this year.
