A full Level Five lockdown is to be considered by Government amid concerns over recent Covid-19 hospitalisations.
Cabinet Ministers have been called for a special meeting today to examine the reintroduction of stricter restrictions.
It comes after 47 more people were hospitalised with Covid-19 by Tuesday afternoon.
Both the Republic of Ireland and the North had record-high daily case numbers yesterday, with 1,566 in the North and 1,546 in the Republic.
A return to all Level Five restrictions may lead to the closure of non-essential retail, gyms and leisure centres. It would also reintroduce a ban on non-essential travel, with people asked to stay at home and exercise within 5kms of their home.
