Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has urged people to reduce their contacts and cut down on socialising in an effort to combat rising coronavirus cases.
Thursday saw another large jump in cases after 442 new infections were confirmed.
And worrying figures were emerging for Cork, Donegal, Meath, Galway and Monaghan, all of which had at least 20 cases diagnosed.
Speaking on the rising figures yesterday Dr Glynn announced no more than two households should meet at any one time across the country as alterations were made to restrictions.
NPHET also recommended that people should only have a maximum of six visitors from one other household to their home and that people can continue to meet socially in other settings, but only with people from one other household.
Speaking on the new measures Dr Glynn warned that people need to cut down on their social contacts as clusters continue to emerge.
And the Acting CMO told of one serious cluster which occurred in a restaurant which ultimately saw 57 cases confirmed as a result.
In an interview with RTE News Dr Glynn said: "What we're concerned about is that increasingly we're seeing increases in cases and clusters in a whole range of different counties and it becomes harder and harder to turn that tide.
"We're really asking people over the coming days to once again pay heed to the advice. I know people are tired of it but equally I know the vast majority of people are doing their best.
"In particular what we're trying to do is cut down contacts, cut down the size of clusters so that if there is cases, if there are clusters that they're smaller in size.
"We have one cluster tonight in Cork from a cafe restaurant where a number of people from different households socialised.
"At the moment that cluster is at 57 cases. We have to cut down socialisation if we're going to get on top of this disease."
On Thursday NPHET further advised that Government extend the Level 2 measures currently in place for a further period of three weeks.
The original expiry dates for Donegal and Dublin's Level 3 restrictions still stand.
NPHET said they had to make the changes due to a further deterioration in the situation since last week.
The five day average for cases is now 412 with 18 counties having an increased incidence rate when compared with last week.
