New nationwide COVID-19 restrictions will be announced by the Government this evening.
Cabinet ministers are expected to sign off on a plan that will merge aspects of level four and five of the current roadmap.
It's likely to mean the closure of most retail outlets, while restrictions on movement further than 5 or 10 kilometres from your home are also being considered.
Cabinet will meet at 4pm to discuss the proposals, before a late evening announcement.
Meetings continued through the day yesterday, assessing what the impact of enhanced restrictions will be on the country.
It comes amid the continuing rise in new coronavirus cases, with a new daily record of 1,283 cases reported yesterday.
Inside Government Buildings, officials have been calculating how many people are likely to lose their jobs due to measures that will see most non-essential retail close.
Details of a second ban on evictions to last the duration of these restrictions are also being worked on.
The Government is unlikely to accept the NPHET recommendation of level five for six weeks - instead implementing a 'level four plus' for three or four weeks.
However, a review at the end of that time means in practice it could be longer.
Restrictions
The Government is examining 'social bubbles' that would allow people to visit close family, provide care or check in with lonely and vulnerable people.
It's likely pubs and restaurants will move to takeaway only, with further travel restrictions also being considered.
Schools are expected to stay open, with the importance of education being stressed by ministers in recent days.
Meanwhile, officials are also looking at supports for mental health and the risk of a further increase in domestic violence rates caused by another lockdown.
Ministers have also been discussing how to keep non-COVID healthcare functioning.
