Very few visiting restrictions will apply to nursing homes from today.
It means residents in homes where most people have vaccine protection, can have as many visits as they want, but with just 2 people at any one time.
Sage Advocacy is urging nursing home providers to stick to the latest HSE guidelines as soon as possible.
Its Executive Director Sarah Lennon is concerned that some facilities don't intend to immediately adhere to the new rules.
"Where there is a risk, where there's a particular risk because of low levels of vaccination or high levels in the community everybody understands we don't want any virus or any variant to get back into nursing homes.
"For the most part nursing homes should be adhering to these guidelines. We have had some calls from upset family members who have been told that they won't be adhering to them, or they would be bringing them in gradually.
"It's very clear that these are to take place from today, and we're asking all nursing homes to adhere to them."
