The Chief Medical Officer is to consider reducing the isolation period for people who test positive for Covid.
The decision was made by the cabinet health committee last night - after ministers were briefed by Dr Tony Holohan.
He'll now review the seven-day period and make a recommendation to Health Minister Stephen Donnell
The move comes despite a worsening situation in the country's hospitals.
There were 1,535 Covid patients in hospital yesterday - over 900 more than at the start of the month.
And last month was the worst March for overcrowding since records began - with over 11,000 without a bed.
