The Minister for Foreign Affairs has warned tourists that “now is not the time to come to Ireland on your holiday.”

It comes amid growing calls for Ireland to shut down all flights arriving into the country from the US.

Ireland remains one of the only countries in the EU that is still accepting tourists from the US, despite the surge in COVID-19 cases there.

Over the weekend, Florida reported more than 15,000 new cases in one day, the highest number for any State since the outbreak began.

The US has recorded more than 3.3 million cases of the virus so far with over 135,000 deaths.

Main image shows people wearing protective face masks at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport, 28-05-2020. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

Speaking after a meeting of Cabinet this afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the Government has no plans to ban international travel.

He insisted the number of people arriving to Ireland is small and largely people returning home.

“I don’t think we should prevent flights from landing in Ireland or ban international travel,” he said.

“That is not the approach we have taken.”

“You could certainly argue that Ireland probably has the most restrictive system in the EU right now in terms of international travel, while most countries are opening up.”

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath and Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman at a press conference in Dublin Castle, 13-07-2020. Image: Julien Behal Photography

He also warned that anyone who lies on the passenger locator form on their way into the country is breaking the law.

“It is also about asking you, where are you going to stay for the next 14 days because we are asking you to stay in the one location," he said.

“If you are lying to us, you are breaking the law and that is a very clear message that goes with the legislation that underpins the passenger location form and the obligations that come along with that.”

Holidays

Earlier this afternoon, he said that while flights would continue, he would urge any tourist considering visiting Ireland in the coming weeks to reconsider their plans.

“There is lots going on trans-Atlantic all the time but now is not the time to come to Ireland on your holidays,” he said.

“I think that needs to be a clear message until the travel advice from the government changes.”

Self-isolation

Meanwhile, the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the Government will not be stopping all flights into Ireland from the US or other countries.

He said officials would stepping up the system for tracking whether people are self-isolating when they arrive into the country in the coming days.

“We will be stepping it up – a lot better system of monitoring people and following up,” he said.

“There is a lot of concern about the States and it is something we really have to look at. Typically, there are about three flights, maybe four flights a day, so very small numbers.

“About 250 people yesterday in total and looking forward over the next three weeks, it is the same story.”

"Red list"

The Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Darren O'Rourke said the US must be placed on a travel “red list” until it brings the virus under control.

“I think it is clear that the US should be on a red list given the COVID-19 profile in the Us at the minute,” he said.

“But then we need to discuss what it means to be on the red list. Does it mean that we are shutting the gates? I don’t think it does but what are the implications for people coming in from a red list area.”

On The Pat Kenny Show earlier today, immunology expert Professor Luke O’Neill said the current situation is “outrageous” and “chaotic.”

"Texas, Arizona for example... the numbers are terrifying there, and they're breaking records every day. And yet people are coming into Ireland from those places - I think it's disgraceful,” he said.

Meanwhile, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall told Newstalk Breakfast that the Government is being 'extremely lax' in its rules for US tourists.