The Irish Government is expected to sign off on plans to introduce further Republic of Ireland-wide restrictions over the rising number of coronavirus cases.
It comes amid a record number of cases recorded over recent days.
Ministers are meeting today to discuss and finalise plans to move to a higher level of the government's Living with Covid-19 plan.
Political leaders received briefings from health officials in Dublin on Saturday October 17 about their concerns over the recent rapid spread of the virus.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has recommended moving to Level 5 of the Covid-19 restrictions framework for six weeks.
Currently counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are at Level 4, while the rest of the Republic is at Level 3.
The Cabinet sub-committee is meeting this morning before the full Cabinet meets later on Monday to sign off on new measures.
The announcement is expected to be made late this evening.
Figures published this morning show there are 298 people with Covid-19 in hospital.
Of those patients, 31 are in Intensive Care Units.
Minister of State Colm Brophy said the announcement is to be made around 9pm today.
He added: "The government is meeting throughout the day and we will have a clear statement from government this evening.
"This is a very major set of decisions which have to be made and obviously it is to get them right.
"I think there will be a set of measures that will fall roughly in that area (between Level 4 and 5), they will be designed to take account the two primary objectives, which is the public health measures to safeguard the public.
"Everyone is very much aware of the other impacts like mental health, commercial business and other things we have learned.
"The government has tried to put in place set of regulations to get a balance between what is important to keep our country open and functioning and what is important in protecting public health."
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that social supports must be put in place.
She also called for the cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) to be fully restored.
Ms McDonald told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that changes to the restrictions must be "balanced" and clearly communicated.
She added: "I think that reality shapes all other decisions, that reality of keeping people well and safe and alive, quite frankly, and ensuring that people who are going to really struggle and are worried sick, that the State acts to restore the PUP and the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
"(And) reinstates an absolute ban on evictions and and that mortgage holders are not left at the mercy of banks."
Yesterday, a further 1,283 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), bringing the national total to 49,962.
Three more deaths with the virus were recorded, taking the toll to 1,852.
