The Government is reportedly considering reducing the isolation period for positive Covid cases and close contacts.
The news comes just hours after Ireland recorded its highest ever daily tally of cases after 16,428 infections were confirmed on Wednesday.
It is understood that several Ministers believe that Ireland should follow suit of the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.
Should Ireland introduce such measures, it would see isolation time reduced from 10 days to five for asymptomatic cases. It would also see the restricted movement period for close contacts reduced.
It is understood these changes are being considered amid fears that the wave could lead to "widespread absenteeism" in Irish society.
According to the Irish Times, the potential changes are based on research which indicated that Omicron is much milder that previous variants, despite being highly contagious.
A Government source told the paper: “A review of the isolation period will be something on the agenda of Cabinet very early in the new year.
“Omicron is highly transmissible. If numbers continue to rise at the rate they are at now, the sheer numbers of people in isolation will have a huge impact on jobs and the economy.
“It looks like it is milder. The CDC has made amendments to cut isolation to five days. We will have to look at it.”
