The restrictions were announced last night
People in the three counties must now stay within their own counties for two weeks, except for essential reasons like for work or medical appointments.
Regulations will be signed to put the regional lockdown on a legal footing while Garda checkpoints will enforce compliance.
It follows a recent outbreak of Covid-19 in the three counties - many in meat processing plants and direct provision centres.
Independent TD for the Kildare South, Cathal Berry, says a number of things now need to happen: