The National Public Health Emergency Team has advised the government to close pubs and restaurants again from December 28.
The news comes as just hours earlier Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Ireland may be put under further restrictions by the end of 2020 as the COVID-19 situation deteriorates.
In a letter to the government, NPHET said that household visits should be reduced to one other household as part of the new restrictions.
They also urged the government to shut down pubs and restaurants after Christmas, the Irish Independent reports.
A decision is expected from the Government when they meet next Tuesday.
A total of 484 more cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ireland today.
Sadly a further three people have died from the fatal virus bringing the overall death toll to 2,143.
There is now a total of 77,678 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today;
- 246 are men / 238 are women
- 59% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 37 years old
- 150 in Dublin, 45 in Wexford, 40 in Cork, 32 in Donegal, 29 in Limerick and the remaining 188 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
As of 2pm today 200 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 31 are in ICU. 30 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
