The Government is extending restrictions to the rest of the country that have already been introduced for third-level and further education colleges in Dublin.
For the next two weeks, all third level and further education institutions are being asked to deliver the bulk of tuition remotely.
Under the enhanced protection measures face-to-face teaching will be limited to practical classes, such as lab activity, where online teaching is not possible, with all other tuition taking place online.
The measures are being introduced as universities prepare to reopen to students next week. Institutes of technology and colleges of further education have already reopened.