All household visits are to be banned from Thursday night, it has been confirmed.
There will be exceptions for compassionate grounds and essential reasons like childcare.
Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal are all set to be moved onto level four coronavirus restrictions.
Other counties will remain at level three, albeit with several new measures also now in place.
The measures will remain in place from tomorrow midnight until Tuesday November 10th.
Additional restrictions are coming within level 3.
No visitors allowed to home or gardens with limited exceptions.
Up to 6 people from 2 households can meet outdoors.
Exemption for club championships are being removed— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 14, 2020
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the country has reached a difficult point with the coronavirus, and the infection numbers are just 'too high'.
He said there was a need for an 'immediate escalation' of restrictions in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan - with level four measures to include the closure of non-essential retail.
The Taoiseach said there are concerns around the full implementation of level three rules - including around household visits.
He also said people should not travel to their workplace 'unless they absolutely have to'.
An exemption for sports club championship matches is also now being removed.
While garden visits are to be banned, up to six people from two households will be able to meet in outdoor public places.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has also warned more counties are likely to move to level four restrictions.
The Government has confirmed COVID-19 support schemes announced during yesterday's Budget will be available to businesses impacted by restrictions.
The moves come amid continued increases in coronavirus cases around the country, with nearly 1,100 new cases confirmed today.
Earlier today, Northern Ireland's Executive announced a four-week 'circuit breaker' lockdown aimed at curtailing soaring coronavirus rates.
Reporting by Sean Defoe and Stephen McNeice
