The national lockdown is expected to be extended for another two weeks for the vast majority of people.
The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet this morning to discuss whether it should be extended beyond May 5th.
According to The Irish Independent however, very little is likely to change over the following fortnight.
It says over 70s may be allowed to exercise outside their homes once a day and outdoor workers may be able to return, but for the majority, little will change.
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Thousands of Garda checkpoints and patrols will be in place over the next six days as part of a major COVID-19 enforcement operation.
Operation Fanacht will see 2,500 gardaí enforcing the restrictions at all times until the Bank Holiday is over.
Beauty spots, parks and beaches will be targeted, along with main roads in cities, towns and villages.
It comes amid growing criticism of the new COVID-19 laws, after confirmation restrictions cannot be enforced on people traveling here on day trips from Northern Ireland.
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The criteria for COVID-19 testing are being broadened to include more suspected cases of the virus.
From this morning, people with either a fever, a recent cough, or shortness of breath can look for a test.
A further 18 patients have died, bringing the death toll to 1,102. Meanwhile, there are now 19,648 confirmed cases in the Republic.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said there will be an increase in cases this week, with the testing changes.
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Social Justice Ireland is calling on the government to take action on tax loopholes for corporations and high earners.
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the economy back into a “severe recession” and the think tank said the State needs to find up to €3bn to fund stronger public services.
It said the Government is handing back too much in tax rebates on schemes which should be subject to more review.
It comes after the Central Bank warned the State could face a budget deficit of 19.6 billion euro this year because of the pandemic.
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Nine in ten people are now working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new survey.
The IrishJobs.ie study shows almost half are doing so from the kitchen table as opposed to an office space.
'Switching off' from work's also posing a challenge for two in ten people - four in ten are working longer hours.
Meanwhile, family members, home-schooling kids and doing household chores are the biggest distractions.
