CORONAVIRUS lockdown restrictions in the North of Ireland will be extended until Friday, March 5.
But as Derry Daily first revealed earlier this week, the restrictions could be extended until after Easter Sunday, April 4, in an effort to keep the spread of the virus down.
The Stormont Executive backed the proposal from Health Minister Robin Swann at its meeting on Thursday.
Another review of the measures will take place on Thursday, February 18.
Ministers were also told that restrictions may have to remain in place until after the Easter holidays in order to continue pushing down the rate of transmission.
Schools are closed to most pupils until after half-term in February but it is understood a paper on the reopening date for schools will be brought to next week’s executive meeting.
The first and deputy first ministers are expected to confirm the decision at a press conference later on Thursday. GMT.
The North of Ireland entered a six-week lockdown on 26 December, with ministers holding an initial review on 21 January.
Derry and Strabane is now into its third lockdown. A second lockdown was imposed on October because of a huge rise in Coronavirus cases.
Ministers have agreed to keep the current restrictions in place until March but Mr Swann said it was “possible” they could be needed until Easter, which this year falls in the first week of April.
It is understood this plan is being discussed across the four nations but ministers will have to consider that in the review next month.
Ministers were also warned that restrictions will be eased on a step-by-step basis, in line with reducing pressures on the health service and ensuring the vaccination programme is “well advanced” before any relaxations are agreed.
