Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said NPHET have no intention to recommend further restrictions before the end of the year.
Dr Holohan also said schools would not close early this year in a message to Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
He denied that NPHET were preparing lockdown measures for the New Year and said there are no plans to close schools in January or for a full closure of pubs and restaurants.
However, he said he could not rule out any further restrictions and will closely monitor the situation over the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said Mr Martin and Dr Holohan spoke this morning and insisted: “There are no plans for December 30 meeting and no nuclear buttons.”
“The leaders and Health Minister met public health on Tuesday, and they discussed the areas where restrictions might apply.
“On Friday, members of NPHET briefed members of Cabinet and no reference to lockdown plans, and they said they’d meet again on January 6.
“As the Taoiseach said yesterday, there are no guarantees, and they will keep monitoring the situation, but they are heartened with booster progress,” he added.
The news comes after Mr Martin announced a string of Covid measures that will come into effect on Monday.
The new restrictions will see all restaurants, bars and cafes, excluding takeaway or delivery services, will close at 8pm.
This will also apply to hotel restaurants and bars, except for overnight residents.
No indoor events, including entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, will take place after 8 pm, and events happening earlier in the day will be limited to 50% capacity or 1,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
However, this does not affect religious, educational or normal workplace business activity and business events.
Attendance at outdoor events will be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
Wedding receptions can take place with a capacity limit of 100 guests and continue after 8 pm. A closing time of midnight will still apply.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported a further 5,124 cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, with 436 Covid-19 patients now in hospital, 107 of whom are in ICU.
Speaking about the hold the Omicron variant has taken on Ireland, Dr Holohan said: “It has taken less than two weeks for Omicron to become the dominant strain of Covid-19 in Ireland, revealing just how transmissible this variant is.
“We have slowed transmission of this disease in the past using our basic measures and responding immediately if symptomatic – it is extremely important we do everything we can to flatten the curve of this wave now to prevent unnecessary deaths, risk to the vulnerable and to protect our health service.
“I urge anyone eligible for a booster to available of it at the earliest opportunity.
“If the majority of us can now reduce our social contact, meet others outdoors, work from home unless absolutely necessary, ensure the appropriate use of face masks, avoid crowds and keep indoors well ventilated,” he urged.
“Very importantly, if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, self-isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test. If you are a close contact of a confirmed case, please restrict your movements.”
