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.
Under Level 3 lockdown guidelines, people living in Dublin are advised not to travel outside the city and there can be no outdoor gatherings of more than 15 people.
But worryingly, one expert has warned that Dublin could plunge into a state of level 4 or 5 if cases continue to rise.
Level 4
- Household visits - banned
- Indoor gatherings - banned.
- Sports events without spectators would go ahead.
- Further travel restrictions possible
- Schools and colleges would remain open but with restrictions in place.
Level 5 - (Same as lockdown restrictions experienced in March and April)
- Travel restricted to 5km radius of home
- No travel to work allowed
- No indoor or outdoor gatherings
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