Taoiseach Micheal Martin has confirmed the return to indoor activities, including hospitality, will be delayed until at least July 19.
Pubs and restaurants will remain closed indoors next week - and the Fianna Fail leader did not give an exact date when eating and drinking indoors will be allowed to resume.
Mr Martin said NPHET's advice is that the return to indoor hospitality should be limited to those who are fully vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid.
He said that the ongoing rollout of vaccines will provide “a wall of protection” against variants like Delta.
Mr Martin said that “great progress has been made” in the battle against Covid and that his Government’s plan this year has always been to only reopen a sector of society when it can guarantee it stays open.
He said: "I’ve been clear in repeating, when a sector or activity reopens, we want to make sure it stays open.
"Last night NPHET advised in very stark terms that reopening on July 5 poses great risk... so we have agreed to delay some elements of reopening.”
He added: "The simple truth is that we are in a race between the variant and the vaccine.
"Concern has been growing here about the prevalence of the Delta variant. One thing that is very clear is that it is much more transmissible.
"The feedback is consistent - the process of reopening and then closing has had a terrible impact on people."
NPHET gave a grave warning to Cabinet on Monday night that the plan to return to indoor dining would create a "great risk".
Nobody in the Government wants to see a disastrous return to lockdown like the one associated with the ‘third wave’ of Covid that arrived in January.
This saw over 2,000 cases a day in the middle of January, with more than 200 in hospital at once stretching the health service.
The resultant third wave resulted in about 3,000 extra deaths.
Mr Martin was optimistic in saying we still have a “summer of music and sport to look forward to.”
Mr Martin also confirmed weddings are to return with 50 guests as planned from Monday.
Martin added: "We want to avoid that cycle again. Last night, we were advised by public health officials in stark terms that proceeding on July 5 represents a real risk for hospitalisations, deaths and cases.
"We have agreed to delay some elements. There will be an increase in the number of people attending outdoor events and the number of guests attending weddings can increase to 50."
The Taoiseach also gave the Irish public an update on how vaccines are progressing.
He said: "The new advice means we can get more vaccinated than before.
"Vaccines are safe, they work and I urge you to take them when you are offered. They are building the wall of infection we need.
"We do not want to lose the progress we have made. I am satisfied this is the safe, sensible, balanced way forward. "This delay I am announcing will be treated by dismay and frustration by some. We will provide additional support to these sectors.
"I've talked before about the twists and turns for our journey but our direction of travel is unchanged.
"We are coming out of this. With continued vigilance and patience, we can ensure the worst of this is behind us."
