NPHET already made the recommendation a number of weeks ago
Public health officials have said the lockdown should last for six weeks.
They have already made it clear a number of weeks ago they feel a level five lockdown is needed - and the situation has only deteriorated since then.
The latest recommendation came on a day that saw a record high number of cases at 1,205.
It's not expected there will be any immediate decision from the government on what to do.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Brussels for the EU Summit and won't be back until late tonight.
Government sources indicated they would take the weekend to consider the situation, the impact of level five and whether in light of a further worsening of the situation that it's warranted.
That would indicate a cabinet decision on the issue on either Monday or Tuesday.
