An Infectious disease expert has said that in comparison to stricter border controls in other countries, Ireland's more relaxed approach might be harmful to the fight against Covid-19.
Speaking on Ireland AM, Professor Sam McConkey said Ireland's open borders are "very unique in Europe".
But he warned that this "may come back and bite us".
He said: "In many aspects our control has been more relaxed than others and we've kept open borders"
"I think it's wrong to portray Ireland as a very conservative outlier."
With regard to access to the country via ports and airports and the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, McConkey agrees with them remaining open but feels that the monitoring and quarantining of people entering the country should've taken effect already.
He said: "I personally agree with that approach to people coming in, that it's good to have open borders but people who are coming in from London, or Milan, or New York where there's a lot of cases should actually have to be responsible and not just in a public place sharing their Covid-19."
From Thursday May 28, anyone coming into Ireland will have to submit their name, contact details and the location at which they will be quarantining for the next 14 days.
Passengers will be required to provide this information in a Passenger Location Form or pay a €2,500 fine, according to Minister for Health Simon Harris.
As a solution, McConkey suggested the idea of a travel bubble, where we would only allow visitors from countries with similar or lower risk levels.
He said: "Anyone who is travelling from New Zealand and China right now, both of which have almost completely controlled Covid-19 should be very free to walk up and down our streets."
He spoke highly of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern's approach to fighting the virus with early action and border closure.
"So having people coming from those areas where its very safe and no risk of having it would be fine."
