The National Public Health Emergency Team has changed the threshold for Covid-19 testing.
It had been the case that if people had returned from an at-risk area and had symptoms, they were to contact their GP.
Now, the at-risk area is no longer a condition and if people have symptoms, they should contact their GP.
This is expected to result in a big rise in testing.
As households and educational facilities adjust to restrictions imposed by the Government, the HSE has appealed to local communities to help health workers and services.
Businesses and corporations are being asked to show flexibility to employees whose partners work in the health service.
The HSE has appealed to local communities to try to support the HSE and assist health workers with childcare so that they can go to work to help patients https://t.co/FNWQQIv5Jt
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 13, 2020
Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive has been asked to identify around 10,000 beds, in various locations, for Covid-19 cases, according to documents seen by RTÉ News.
It is part of contingency planning for a potential worst-case scenario but which officials are hoping to avoid.
The locations for beds would include existing health facilities, student accommodation, hotel rooms, military and other sites.
The beds would be used for treatment, according to the HSE.
Staffing these beds would be done through re-deployment and also calling on retired health staff.
Health authorities are hoping these measures may not be needed, as a result of the decisions announced yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland has said nine new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed following the latest tests.
It brings the total number of cases in Northern Ireland to 29.
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Ireland is now in what is known as the delay phase.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the delay phase measures may result in 200 people a week catching the virus over five weeks, rather than 500 people a week catching the virus over two weeks.
The aim is to help the health system and society cope better, over an extended time-frame.
Doctors have also emphasised that most cases of Covid-19 are mild to moderate and that the vast majority of people will recover.
But a special focus will be needed on vulnerable people, including those with certain conditions and those over 50 years of age.
Around 80% of cases of Covid-19 will be a mild to moderate illness, close to 14% have severe disease and around 6% are critical.
Generally, you need to be 15 minutes or more in the vicinity of an infected person, within 1-2 metres, to be considered at-risk or a close contact.
This afternoon, HSE chief operations officer Anne O'Connor said there had been a dramatic decrease in hospital attendance and admission over the past week.
Speaking at a HSE briefing, she said people were only attending when they had to.
Trolley count had also dropped considerably and she said this had not been seen in a very long time.
Ms O’Connor said they had been focused on moving people out of hospital and there was a considerable reduction in delayed transfers.
There has been a significant increase in calls to the national ambulance service - 5.3% - over the past week, most of which has been related to Covid-19.
Hospitals to reduce some activity
Mercy University Hospital in Cork has instigated "severe reductions" in activity between now and 29 March.
In a statement the hospital said all out-patient appointments and all elective surgery are cancelled with effect from 16 March.
In addition all day case procedures, inclusive of endoscopic and pain procedures are being cancelled with effect from 16 March.
The hospital said there would be "exceptions to the situation to address critical needs. In such cases patients will be contacted directly by the hospital and provided with appointment details."
The hospital has asked that you do not attend unless you are contacted by the hospital and provided with a specific appointment.
In Dublin, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital has also announced measures and is cancelling all elective orthopedic and spinal services at the hospital from 16 March until further notice.
In a statement the hospital said patients whose appointments are being deferred will be contacted by phone.
In addition, all fracture clinics will be moved to the Mater Smithfield Rapid Injury Clinic starting from next Wednesday 18 March.
The hospital said these actions were being taken "in order to preserve and prioritise emergency care and care for those with Covid-19 during these unprecedented times.
"The Mater Hospital regrets the impact that this will have on our patients but these new arrangements are necessary in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19."
"Visitor restrictions remain in place for public and patient safety. The only visitors who are allowed on campus are those who are visiting patients in critical care, vulnerable young adults, or those whose loved ones are receiving end of life care. No children are permitted to visit the hospital under any circumstances."
