Nightclubs, bars and restaurants will have to close at midnight from later this week, amid increasing concern over the rate of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Under plans agreed by Cabinet, the new measure will come into effect on Thursday.
Government advice will also be to work from home after this weekend "where practicable".
However, vaccine certs won't be required for accessing gyms, barbers and hairdressers.
The Cabinet has been meeting this morning to discuss the rising number of COVID cases and worrying warnings from NPHET on the projected admissions to ICU.
Less than a month since limits on hospitality closing hours were dropped, ministers have now decided to reimpose a curfew for the hospitality sector.
While the previous curfew was 11:30pm, pubs and restaurants will now need to shut at midnight.
It has already led to the Restaurants Association of Ireland calling for business supports to be reintroduced due to the lack of trade they'll suffer.
Vaccine certs
There will also be changes to rules around close contacts - meaning once there is a confirmed COVID case in a household, everyone in that home will have to stay at home for five days.
They'll be sent antigen tests to carry out self-tests while restricting their movements.
Ministers had also been examining restricting access to other services - including gyms and hairdressers - by requiring them to check for Digital COVID Certs.
Despite a NPHET recommendation, Digital COVID Certs won't be required for access to gyms, barbers and hairdressers.
However, the certs will now be needed for cinemas and theatres.
Such venues have previously had to check certs if they wanted to operate at increased or full capacity - meaning vaccine certs are already effectively mandatory for many cinemas and theatres.
However, venues previously did not have to check certs if they were operating at reduced, fully socially-distanced capacity.
A booster vaccine campaign for over 50s has also been agreed - with the Taoiseach telling the meeting there will be capacity for 230,000 jabs a week.
The Cabinet meeting comes amid the growing concerns over COVID-19 rates.
More than 4,000 cases have been reported on several days over the past week, while the number of patients in hospital stands at 614 (including 114 in ICU).
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly this morning said the models from NPHET yesterday were 'very stark'.
In a worst-case scenario, up to 500 people could require treatment in intensive care.
It also predicts there could be up to 12,000 cases a day in a pessimistic situation.
The Taoiseach, meanwhile, has warned the situation is set to get worse before it gets better.
