People arriving into Ireland from COVID-19 hotspots should be quarantined in hotels, according to the Social Democrats.

Health officials are expected to issue new advice on the 14-day quarantine period for international travellers later today.

The Government is due to publish a ‘green list’ of countries people can fly to without self-isolating by next week.

However, the Chief Medical Officer has warned that he is "beyond nervous" about any increase in foreign travel.

Dr Tony Holohan has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is “accelerating” around the world and is urging anyone thinking about holidaying abroad this summer to reconsider.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall hit out at the “mixed messages” coming from authorities on the issue.

She said the Government must publish two lists, one for safe countries and one for COVID-19 hotspots – with anyone arriving from a hotspot forced into quarantine at airport hotels or government-run facilities.

“That is what needs to happen,” she said. “We need to ensure that there is not open access for people coming back from countries that have very high levels of the virus.”

“Otherwise, we are putting ourselves at risk and we run the risk of undoing all the hard work that people have done over the last four months.”

Pictured at the formal launch of the Social Democrats #GE20 campaign is party leader Roisin Shortall, 16-01-2020. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

She said countries like New Zealand have had success with similar policies.

“The alternative is to have an open-door policy where people can come and go and run the very high risk of doing huge damage again to the country, not only to our health status but also in relation to the economy,” she said.

“The last thing we want is a second wave and unless we are careful about travel, that is going to be inevitable.”

The Dublin North-West TD said she understands the concerns of the tourism industry but insisted we must “move very cautiously in the coming weeks.”

“If we have a second wave and there is another upsurge, we will be back in a situation where the country will have to be closed down,” she said.

“It is a very delicate balance the Government needs to strike but the most important thing is they need to introduce powers to ensure they can deal with flights coming from countries that have very high levels of the virus,” she said.

“They have no mechanism for doing that at the moment. You have to distinguish between safe and unsafe.”

You can listen back to the full interview here: