A number of Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland are expected to be tightened this afternoon. Stormont's Health Minister Robin Swann and his chief medical and scientific advisors have expressed alarm in recent days about a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases.
The Executive will meet this afternoon to decide how to respond to the increase, with nearly 300 new cases recorded during the past seven days.
It is expected to mirror the Irish Government and reduce the numbers allowed to meet indoors and outdoors, and attend sporting events.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Swann said "we have to step in now" to deal with a rise in new cases. Earlier this week, Northern Ireland's Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Ian Young warned that local