Non-essential travel from certain countries to be banned under new 'Red List'

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All non-essential travel from countries like the US and Brazil is set to be banned under new government plans.

The Department of Health is preparing a list of options for the government on how to restrict non-essential travel here from countries with high risks of COVID-19.

While travel related cases here remain relatively low, many countries are seeing rapid increases in the numbers testing positive for the virus.

A travel "red list" including countries like the United States where the rate is currently 116 cases per 100,000 and Brazil where it is 143 per 100,000 is being drawn up.

There'll be exemptions for Irish citizens and residents returning home as well as essential workers.

Margaret Harris from the World Health Organisation says the US is still struggling to get the virus under control: