People advised to work from home if they can to stop spread of Coronavirus
Ministers met on Tuesday morning to resume discussions on a range of proposals recommended by Health Minister Robin Swann.
Some revisions to Mr Swann’s original recommendations have been made.
In a statement, the Executive said given the public health advice with the rising case numbers, intervention was again required.
“We understand how difficult this situation is for everyone and we will be stepping up our public information campaign to encourage everyone to keep following the advice,” the statement continued.
“None of us wanted to be in this position, but this pandemic is unpredictable and it continues to pose a threat.
“We have an opportunity to make a difference by working together to keep our society open and protect the health service.
“Let’s do everything we can to ensure we halt the spread of Covid as we approach Christmas.”
People will be urged to work from home where possible and the Executive has tasked its Covid taskforce to examine issues around enforcement of mask wearing and also look at the potential of setting up a scores-on-the-doors type system to rate businesses on their compliance with rules and mitigations.
Current Stormont advice for businesses to prepare for a return to office working is to be changed to encourage employers to support those staff who can work from home to do so.
It is understood an initial proposal that would have seen ministers urge people who worked from home at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 to do so again has been dropped.
Some ministers had expressed concern that advice could cause confusion as many sectors that were closed in March 2020 are now open and many workers do not have the option of remaining at home.
Much of the plan agreed by ministers focuses on reinforcing messaging around public health measures, such as face masking wearing, hand hygiene and limiting social contacts.
With that in mind, it is understood First Minister Paul Givan, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Health Minister Mr Swann will take part in a rare joint press conference at Stormont later on Tuesday afternoon.
First Minister Paul Givan tweeted: “The Executive has engaged constructively & agreed a number of measures that will step up our collective efforts against the spread of Covid.
“Whilst there is differences across society on the most effective measures, we can all make a contribution that will help make a difference.”
The Executive has also tasked its Covid taskforce to examine issues around enforcement of mask-wearing and also look at the potential of setting up a scores-on-the-doors type system to rate businesses on their compliance with rules and mitigations.
On Monday, Mr Swann told the Assembly that some hospitality venues may be asked to close their doors over Christmas if Covid-19 cases continue to increase.
He stressed that closures were not inevitable.
A Covid certification system for hospitality businesses is being rolled out next week. Fines for non-compliance will be become enforceable two weeks after that on December 13.
Under the compulsory certification scheme, people wishing to gain entry to designated venues would need to demonstrate evidence of Covid-19 vaccination, a negative lateral flow test result, or proof of a coronavirus infection within the previous six months.
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