The Cabinet will meet today to discuss whether border counties should move to level 4 restrictions.
The measures to suppress the virus could be escalated in Donegal, Cavan & Monaghan as a result of the decision by Northern Ireland to implement a four-week lockdown.
NPHET isn't expected to meet today but Dr Tony Holohan's opinion will be fed to Ministers.
Under level 4 non-essential retail would close and there can be no visitors invited to your home. Weddings will be limited to 6 attendees.
But it's expected schools will stay open.
It will be this evening before cabinet meets - but with the Taoiseach set to travel to Brussels for the EU summit tomorrow a decision will be taken tonight.
*Reporting by Sean Defoe
