Lockdown in NI extended for at least four weeks
Stormont Ministers took the decision after reviewing restrictions, four weeks into this lockdown.
Northern Ireland's coronavirus lockdown restrictions will be extended by another four weeks to March 5th 2021, after the Health Minister's proposal to do so was backed by Executive colleagues.
It has been hinted, however, that the restrictions could actually stay in place until Easter.
An extended lockdown closing non-essential retailers, keeping schools shut to most pupils and encouraging employees to work from home kicked in on Boxing Day, and today, the four-week review of the measures took place before the initial end date of February 6th.
Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster said: "Following a detailed outline from health highlighting continuing pressures on hospitals and intensive care units and the emergence of highly-transmissible variants the Executive has agreed that the restrictions will be extended for four weeks.''
Although case numbers have started to drop, they remain high, and struggling hospitals are expected to face even greater pressures by this weekend due to the lag between infection and serious illness developing.
A further 21 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland have died.
Another 732 new cases of the virus have been detected, according to the Department of Health on Thursday.
There are 806 Covid-positive patients in hospitals, with 70 in intensive care.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it was a difficult decision to prolong the curbs, which will be reviewed next month.
"It has been a long and hard road for all.
"There is no doubt that there are better days ahead but we need to keep working together right now to save lives and protect the health service."
She acknowledged people were worrying about what the lengthy restrictions would mean for their businesses and families.
"We know that we are asking a lot of everyone, we will do everything we can to make sure you are supported during this time."
Mrs Foster said they would only keep the restrictions in place as long as they were strictly necessary.
She said the public would be disappointed but not surprised as they could see the pressure hospitals were under.
Ministers are to review the measures on February 18.