Dr. Kingston Mills alarmed over lack of border restrictions: "We are going to re-import the virus.."

Dr Kingston Mills, professor of experimental immunology in Trinity, told Seán O'Rourke that he was very concerned over the continuing lack of restrictions at the borders.

He queried why Ireland has one rule for everybody in the community over Covid-19 fears and another rule entirely for people who are in flight.

Dr. Mills said that New Zealand, Australia and South Korea have done a fantastic job containing the virus which was accomplished with two actions that Ireland has not done: Proper contact tracing and by imposing severe restrictions on immigration, including mandatory quarantining.

Mills went on to say that if Ireland does get on top of the number of new cases of Covid-19 appearing but still lacks immigration restrictions then we are going to re-import the infection from countries that haven't done as well in tackling the virus.

Liam Herrick from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties added that it was perfectly within the state's remit to either regulate or prohibit travel into the country.

Broadcast: 07 May 2020 | RTÉ Radio One | Today with Seán O'Rourke