Dr Ronan Glynn has confirmed that the new restrictions on gatherings also apply to pubs and restaurants.
This means people in all counties will still be able to go to pubs and restaurants - except Dublin and Donegal - but can only sit or meet with people from one other household.
The guidance does not allow for four friends from four different homes to sit together inside their local pub.
NPHET said in a statement: "While there continues to be a number of counties with particularly high incidence, the NPHET’s main concern now is the overall national picture.
"Given the disease profile, NPHET today recommended that no more than 2 households should meet at any given time. People should only have a maximum of 6 visitors from 1 other household to their home. People can continue to meet socially in other settings, but only with people from one other household.
"NPHET have further advised that Government extend the Level 2 measures currently in place for a further period of three weeks, with Donegal and Dublin remaining at Level 3. NPHET will continue to monitor this situation very closely."
This guidance applies to all counties in the Republic of Ireland immediately with no end date for the current restrictions given.
