Taoiseach Micheal Martin will speak to the public this afternoon as the Government introduces a raft of new restrictions.
An emergency Cabinet meeting will take place later today, where Ministers will discuss the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has written to Government, where he outlined the group's reasons for recommending that the nation be moved to a full-scale Level Five lockdown.
Such a move, which is expected to be agreed by Cabinet, would see non-essential retail, gyms, leisure centres, golf courses and tennis clubs close.
Here's everything we know so far:
What time will Micheal Martin speak?
Wednesday's emergency Cabinet meeting is due to begin at 2.30pm, where Ministers will discuss what measures will be brought in.
The Taoiseach will address the nation once this meeting concludes, however, we don't know how long that it will last.
You can follow our live blog for updates closer to the time.
What will stay open and what will close?
In positive news, schools are expected to reopen as planned in early January.
Despite Micheal Martin allowing them to remain open when more restrictions were brought in on December 22, non-essential retail, gyms and leisure centres are expected to shut again.
Outdoor sports such as golf and tennis could also be gone, in a complete u-turn from just eight days ago.
Why another lockdown?
Ireland recorded a worrying 1,546 new cases on Tuesday, with experts fearing that number could soar again in the coming days due to a backlog from the Christmas period.
But it is the hospital numbers that is the main cause of concern for NPHET after the number of patients in hospitals nationwide practically doubled to 411 in recent days.
