Michelle O'Neill has said she hopes the Executive will be able to approve further Covid restrictions being eased in Northern Ireland this week.
The deputy First Minister told MLAs that this could include the reopening of youth services and live music, but said decisions would be informed by medical and scientific advice.
During ministerial question time at Stormont, Ms O'Neill said that some easements of restrictions had had to be delayed because of concerns over the spread of the Delta Covid variant in Northern Ireland.
Last week, the Public Health Agency disclosed there were 612 confirmed or probable cases of the Delta variant detected in all 11 council areas in Northern Ireland.