Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed that the Government will be reimposing restrictions "sooner than expected".
The Christmas relaxation of measures was supposed to stay until January 6, but that is now guaranteed to be changed.
Government leaders are meeting today to decide what happens with a formal Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning ahead of a later announcement.
So far a lot of what will change is clear with the finer details expected to emerge in the next 24 hours or so.
Here's all we know so far;
Pubs and restaurants
The shutter on hospitality will be down before New Years and is likely to see all pubs and restaurants closed from December 28.
That date is not set in stone but is believed to be the frontrunner ahead of the Cabinet meeting.
Many people with bookings for the New Year celebrations will be left disappointed with health experts attributing the spread of disease to increased socialising.
Household visits
At the moment you are allowed visitors to your home from two other households and this will be in place for the all important Christmas Day.
But it is likely to be chopped again soon after, with speculation that this could be reduced to just one other household, with further measures in the new year.
Travel
Inter-county travel had been opened up since December 18 and was set to stay open until January 6.
But Minister Eamon Ryan said on Monday morning that it is likely the restrictions on not leaving your county will be reimposed sooner than expected.
Schools
Both Ministers Simon Coveney and Simon Harris shot down suggestions that their could be a delayed return to schools in January.
That was after the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan suggested it would be looked at.
There is not currently an expectation that the school situation will be altered in any way.
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