Irish tourists have been warned to avoid travel to Covid-19 "red zones" in popular holiday destinations including Spain, France and Italy.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued its latest Covid-19 incidence map for regions across the continent.
And the majority of Spain has been given a "dark red" classification, while the Canary Islands and Portugal are both in the "red" zone.
Areas in the south of France are also considered to be a "dark red" zone, while most of Italy has been classified as "orange".
The guidelines published by the European Commission state: "In view of the difficult epidemiological situation linked to more infectious coronavirus variants, Member States should strongly discourage all non-essential travel to and from ‘dark red’ and discourage all such travel to and from ‘red’ areas."
However, it is still legal for holidaymakers to travel to these countries from Ireland thanks to the Digital Covid Cert, which is available to anyone who has been fully vaccinated, recently recovered from coronavirus or who can produce a negative test.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs has also warned any Irish tourists that are travelling to Spain to remember that while antigen tests are accepted on arrival, they are not suitable when returning to Ireland.
A spokesman said: "All passengers arriving in Spain (mainland as well as Canary and Balearic Islands) from Ireland and other risk countries must:
- Submit a completed Locator Form. This form can be completed online via the Spain Travel Health website or app
- Hold a certificate or document confirming that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from COVID-19 or have a negative/not-detected result of a diagnostic test
- In the case of a negative/not-detected test result, passengers must present evidence of a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT – including RT-PCR, LAMP and TMA) carried out with 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain or a Rapid Antigen Test carried out no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Please note that only RT-PCR tests are acceptable in order to enter Ireland.
"In the case of proof of vaccination, passengers must present evidence that they have received the full course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain.
"In the case of recovery from COVID, passengers must present evidence that at least 11 days have passed since they received a positive result on a NAAT.
"Passengers may present the EU Digital COVID Certificate as evidence of the above. "
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