Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has written to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly saying that Ireland needs another round of Level 5 restriction to stop the spread of Covid-19 after Christmas.
The 'unofficial' letter between Holohan and Donnelly was written on Monday afternoon with NPHET recommending the strictest of rules once again for the country at the end of the holidays.
And come Christmas Eve, all hospitality - including pubs and restaurants - are set to close on Thursday afternoon as part of what is being described as 'Level 5 minus'.
The cabinet is meeting early on Tuesday morning to decide on a new set of lockdown restrictions.
Yesterday evening, NPHET confirmed that the country was in a "third wave" of the virus as cases skyrocketed to over the 700 mark with increases expected between now and the New Year.
Here's everything you won't be able to do after December 24 should the new restrictions take effect:
Pubs and Restaurant
Once again the hospitality sector has been dealt a huge blow with pubs, bars and restaurants all facing closure again from December 24.
Despite being allowed to open for a short period of time, both pubs and restaurants will once again only be permitted to offer customers take away service.
Hairdressers
There's also bad news for hairdressers and barbers which will all be forced to shut this Christmas meaning people won't be able to get their hair cut on time for New Years.
Salons will also be subject to closure under the new measures.
Retail
Both non-essential and essential retailers are likely to stay open for the moment with no plans to close retailers such as Penneys, Brown Thomas and countless others.
However it is likely there will be strict measures as to how many people can visit stores at one time as a result.
Cinemas, Theatres and Art Galleries,
Despite only being given the all-clear to welcome customers again just a couple of weeks ago revellers will have to wait a little longer to visit all cinemas and galleries again.
Cinemas, theatres and art galleries will all also be asked to close their doors from Christmas Eve onwards.
Inter-county travel
Just last week the Government lifted the inter-county travel ban to allow people who may need to get to their home county to see their family this Christmas.
However its expected that ban will be reimposed as early as St Stephen's Day, December 26.
