Delay on discussion over Christmas plans for Northern Ireland
It may be December but Northern Ireland will have to wait a while before discovering the finer detail of the out-of-lockdown Christmas arrangements.
The Stormont Executive was expected to meet today (Tuesday) but that has now been postponed until Thursday.
Last week during the First and Deputy First Ministers’ media briefing, it was claimed further details on the so-called ‘festive bubbles’ plan enabling households to meet up over Christmas, would be revealed.
However, ministers will now discuss arrangements which will also include guidelines on travel during this period, in two days’ time.
They will be putting the final touches to a plan to allow people from three households to meet indoors for five days over the festive period.
Meanwhile, the Republic is spending its first day out of a near six-week lockdown.
All retail shops are open again along with gyms and swimming pools.
Hotels can also re-open but with services limited to residents only.
Gatherings of 15 people can take place outdoors.