Restaurants and pubs that don't serve food look set to reopen for Christmas, it has been reported.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Dail yesterday that he was aiming to return to Level 3 when the current lockdown is lifted on December 1.
Mr Martin said last night: “I did say on the record of the House that I wanted to get back to Level 3 – that was a target for December 1.
"The data on that will inform whether we might look at certain sectors as well and might moderate that.”
And as part of the new measures, restaurants look set to be allowed to open their doors again, although wet pubs may be asked to remain shut, the Irish Times reports.
The newspaper added that the Government could also ask people to limit their close contacts to their family only over the festive season.
It comes as NPHET is set to meet today to discuss Ireland's progress after three weeks of a Level Five lockdown.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has hailed positive trends but warned the Irish public not to let their guard down, and keep a small number of close contacts.
He said last night: "The profile of the disease is improving and, while this is a positive trend, it does not mean it is time to take a step back from our adherence to public health guidelines.
"I urge everyone to redouble their efforts, try and have fewer close contacts this week than you did last week, continue to social distance and follow the other vitally important public health guidelines.”
But some concern is growing over Co Donegal, which continues to see relatively high rates of the disease compared to similar regions.
Here is the latest county-by-county breakdown of 14-day incidence rates:
Donegal - 300.9
Limerick - 201.1
Meath - 172.3
Roscommon - 168.9
Westmeath - 162.2
Louth - 157.5
Dublin - 154.6
Sligo - 154.1
Mayo - 151.7
Laois - 147.6
Cork - 146.1
Kerry - 141.5
Longford - 139.5
Waterford - 136.0
Kilkenny - 133.0
Cavan - 132.6
Monaghan - 125.4
Clare - 122.9
Tipperary - 117.8
Carlow - 114.2
Offaly - 112.9
Galway - 108.1
Kildare - 101.1
Wicklow - 71.6
Wexford - 67.5
Leitrim - 40.6
