Cabinet will tomorrow consider whether to introduce new rules requiring everyone entering the State to show a negative COVID result.

The three Government party leaders and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly were updated on the Omicron variant by NPHET officials this evening.

The leaders were told that Ireland’s COVID rates appear to be stabilising; however, it will be two weeks before the impact of the new Omicron variant is known.

Tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting will now consider new public health advice requiring everyone arriving into Ireland to show a negative COVID test.

The rules would apply to all regardless of vaccine status and the tests would have to be taken in the 72 hours before travelling.

UPDATE: Understand people coming into Ireland would need a negative laboratory test - either a PCR or an antigen done by a professional.

Home antigen tests wouldn't be accepted and the rules to apply to Great Britain https://t.co/z3GKvCHlfp

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 29, 2021

The tests would need to be carried out at a laboratory, meaning travellers would need a PCR test or a medically supervised antigen test.

The rules are expected to apply to everyone travelling to Ireland, including those travelling here from Britain.

NPHET has also recommended a two-week ban on children under 12 socialising indoors.

Cabinet is instead likely to ask parents to limit children to one indoor activity per week.

It means children would be able to attend a pantomime one week and a playdate the next.