PEOPLE travelling into Ireland may be forced to wear a face mask for 14 days under a new proposal.
The rule would include those who are returning to the country too.
Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is brining the proposal before a number of TDs today.
He will apparently insist that those returning to the country must pay close attention to maintaining a two metre distance, hand hygiene, wearing face coverings and avoiding crowded situations for a full fortnight.
As Ireland moves to Europe's 'traffic light' system for international travel, there are growing concerns that issues with containing the spread of Covid-19 could be exacerbated, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.
On Monday, Holohan discouraged the Irish public from travelling in and out of the country, stressing that they should do so only if it is absolutely essential.
"There is a substantial risk associated with international travel at the current time," said Dr Holohan.
The CMO will reportedly cite strict travel policies from countries around the world with very low levels of transmission as reason for the potential new rules.
Asian countries in particularly have ably demonstrated the importance of controlling importations.
"Our core national objectives are to maintain the safe reopening our education and health sectors, and to protect our vulnerable populations. Achieving these goals is predicated on maintaining low rates of transmission and avoiding an ongoing reseeding of cases for example through travel," Holohan said.
