It is understood that the Government is likely to reject NPHET's recommendation to move to Level 5 restrictions and instead implement Level 3 restrictions countrywide.

The cabinet will meet at 5:30pm today to discuss the implementation of tighter restrictions and an official announcement is expected following this.

Two counties, Donegal and Dublin, are currently operating at Level 3, while the rest of the country is at Level 2.

If Cork was to be moved to Level 3, here is how the city and county would be impacted:

• Home visitors would be restricted to no more than six people from one household;

• People would be asked to work from home unless absolutely necessary;

• No social or family gatherings should take place in settings outside the home;

• Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception;

• No organised indoor gatherings, such as conferences and art events, should take place;

• Outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people can take place;

• In cases of outdoor sport, non-contact training is permitted in pods of up to 15 with an exemption for professional/elite/inter-county sports/senior club championship;

• For indoor sports, only individual training is permitted;

• No matches or sporting events can take place, except for professional/elite/inter-county/club championship/horse-racing which can take place behind closed doors;

• Gyms, leisure centres, and swimming pools can open with protective measures in place for individual training only;

• Religious services would move online, while places of worship remain open for private prayer;

• No more than 25 people can attend funerals;

• Museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions would close;

• Libraries would be available for e-services and call and collect;

• Bars, cafes, and restaurants, including hotel restaurants and bars and wet pubs would open with additional restrictions.