The hospitality sector is expected to be told to close from December 30th.
The Government is likely to accept NPHET advice to close restaurants and pubs that serve food.
Visits to homes will also be restricted to one other household from the 30th.
However, it is expected people will be allowed to travel between counties until January 6th as originally planned.
Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to make a final decision on the new restrictions.
It was revealed yesterday that NPHET was recommending that gastropubs and restaurants close after Christmas from December 28th.
Representatives from the hospitality trade said the news of a further lockdown was a shock for employees and "a slap in the face" for those in the industry.
The Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners' Association, Donal O'Keefe, described the prospect as devastating.
"Our food pubs are now heading into their third lockdown.
"The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result, we're heading into lockdown number three and we see no hope for the future, no plan for the future of the hospitality sector.
"We're calling on the Government to sit down with us, to work out a plan for the reopening of pubs on a sustainable footing."
His comments echoed those of Mark McGowan, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who said yesterday that the sector is being "singled out" and treated like a "scapegoat".
It comes as the Chief Medical Officer warned the COVID-19 situation is getting worse more rapidly than expected.
Dr Tony Holohan is urging people to cut their contacts after 582 new cases and six more deaths were confirmed yesterday.
Main image: Two women enjoy lunch in Dublin City Centre. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
