Families may be able to visit each other on Christmas Day if compliance with level 5 restrictions remains high.
That's according to the National Public Health Emergency Team which has also warned that large family gatherings and office parties won't be possible.
Irish people abroad have been advised not to travel home for the festive season, as international travel is seen as the biggest threat to suppressing Covid-19.
Uncertainty
Level 5 restrictions have driven the 'R' number down to 0.6, while the national 14 day incidence is now half what it was at the end of October.
Member of NPHET Dr Colm Henry says he can't promise people will be able to return home from abroad for Christmas: "There's so much uncertainty at the moment that its hard to give people a direct message to say it's okay, things will be fine by Christmas, it will be safe to come home.
"We simply can't say that, it's a very volatile situation."
