CEO of the Health Service Executive Paul Reid has urged people to "keep a heightened level of guard" over the coming weeks, especially if they plan to meet friends.
Speaking at the weekly HSE Covid-19 update, Mr Reid said there is a "natural urge to hug people and wish them a Merry Christmas" after spending time at a restaurant or a gastropub, but he warned this will pose "an extreme risk".
He said he foresees three phases of risk, namely this weekend as restaurants and gastropubs reopen, the second being next week until 18 December when people can visit other households, and from the week of Christmas until the New Year being the third phase.