NPHET is expected to recommend further restrictions on social mixing over Christmas when it meets this morning.
They'll consider whether new limits are needed on household visits - and further cuts to the hospitality sector.
New rules on social contacts are also expected, with the Omicron variant accounting for 13 per cent of Covid cases here.
Dr David Nabarro, from the World Health Organisation, believes Ireland is on the brink of another coronavirus wave.
"With Omicron we have the additional problem in that it seems to be better at breaking through the defences provided by the vaccines that we use.
"I think we will see a bit of an uptick due to Omicron, I can't say how much it's going to be but I think some of those cases will be in people who have been double vaccinated, and even in people who have been double vaccinated and boostered."
