Cabinet is set to meet tomorrow to discuss further restrictions after fears grow about the continued spike in coronavirus cases.
Tonight Ireland saw yet another surge after 1,283 cases were confirmed.
On Saturday Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan briefed Government Ministers including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about NPHET's advice, which suggested a lockdown is implemented that would last for a period of six weeks.
Cabinet will have to meet to discuss the advice on Monday however Minister Simon Harris confirmed that nationwide restrictions are on the way
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid also briefed the group of the capacity situation in Irish hospitals.
Speaking today Minister Simon Harris said that Level Three "hasn't worked" and that a county-by-county approach won't be appropriate in the current situation.
He explained that the new rules will be 'decisive' and will be introduced right across the country.
But he urged that the Government will need to balance restrictions with "our honest view on what people can bear or sustain”.
As of 2pm today 277 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 33 are in ICU. 17 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Of today's cases 408 were in Dublin, 156 in Cork, 88 in Kildare, 80 in Meath, 55 in Limerick and the remaining 496 cases are spread across 21 counties.
A full breakdown of the location of today's cases show.
Cavan 42
Meath 80
Monaghan 17
Donegal 14
Clare 21
Sligo 8
Westmeath 40
Cork 156
Galway 51
Wexford 35
Limerick 55
Kildare 88
Longford 13
Leitrim 5
Dublin 408
Roscommon 27
Kerry 36
Offaly 25
Louth 7
Laois 23
Mayo 30
Carlow 20
Kilkenny 10
Waterford 5
Wicklow 31
Tipperary 36
