Tough Covid-19 restrictions could be in place until June.

The National Public Health Emergency Team says there needs to be a cautious approach to easing restrictions over the next few months to avoid a fourth wave.

It comes as 582 new cases of covid 19 have been confirmed, while there's been no additional deaths.

The number of Covid-19 patients in public hospitals dropped to 334 last night, while there are 83 in intensive care.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn says there needs to be a slow easing of measures.

Employers are again being urged to allow employees to work for home, as the number of close contacts people have rises.

The National Public Health Emergency Team says the number of close contacts has risen from 2 in January to 2.6 now.

The reproduction number of Covid-19 has also risen to between 0.8 and 1.1.

Chair of the State's modelling group, Professor Philip Nolan says the increase in the number of people going to workplaces is contributing to the stagnation in daily case numbers.