The National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended the closure of restaurants and gastro-pubs before the New Year as part of efforts to deal with rising rates of Covid-19.
From today, people can travel outside their county and three different households can meet indoors.
The measures were due to stay in place until January 6th - but the health team wants household mixing limited to one other household shortly after Christmas.
Health officials have warned we could see up to 1,200 cases a day by the second week of January based on the current trends.
