NPHET has recommended pubs and restaurants close at 5pm as soon as possible, as the Omicron variant spreads here.
Health officials have also called for indoor and outdoor events to be capped at a maximum of 50 per cent capacity.
But they haven't recommended the early closure of schools for Christmas, or further limits on household visits. It follows a five and a half hour meeting yesterday.
Cabinet ministers will consider the recommendations today.
Padraig Cribben, from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, says it's devastating news for the hospitality sector;
"This is an absolute bombshell that nobody had anticipated and in essence it is the equivalent of full closure for most businesses."
Cases
4,141 new Covid cases were reported yesterday evening.
443 Covid patients are in hospital, the lowest figure in two months, with 108 in intensive care.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the new strain now accounts for 27 per cent of new cases.
