Donegal will become the second county to move to level three from midnight tonight.
The county has a 14 day incidence rate of 148 per 100 thousand, while family gatherings such as communions are being linked to the rapid rise in cases.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer has urged people to reduce their contacts, especially those living in Cork, Waterford, Louth, Kildare, Wicklow and Galway.
Minister Stephen Donnelly says people in Donegal understand why the decision had to be made.
