It’s expected a level four plus system will be placed on the entire country this evening.
Travel limits, non-essential retail closing and bars and restaurants moving to takeaway only are some of the measures expected from tonight’s announcement.
The cabinet sub-committee led by the leaders of the three coalition partners is meeting at the moment to hammer out the final details of a plan that will take elements of level 4 and level 5.
A big focus has been put on keeping the schools open in all eventualities.
But many services like gyms, swimming pools and possibly hairdressers and barbers are also set to close.
The recommendation is likely to be for three or four weeks, rather than the 6 weeks requested by the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Measures are being discussed about how to help people who live alone or need care, including the idea of social bubbles that would allow them to be visited.
While supports for mental health and people suffering domestic abuse are also being discussed.
The question of enforcement is a key one today, with a system of new fines likely to be discussed but not yet finalised.
The full cabinet meets at 4 p.m. to sign off on the plans, with a formal announcement late this evening.
Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says the reason why further restrictions are required is that our health system which never as it should be could be overran by a spike in the number of Covid-19.
