THE Stormont Executive is to meet later today to discuss the easing of Covid-19 restrictions over Christmas.
On Tuesday, ministers from across the UK agreed three households could mix for five days from 23-27 December.
The Executive will discuss the new Christmas rules and consider how best to promote them in the days ahead.
It is expected there will also be a discussion about the restrictions which have seen hospitality and non-essential retail close until December 11.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said it was important to get Covid-19 transmission “as low as possible” in the run up to Christmas.
He has warned that this year cannot be a “normal Christmas”.
And Health Minister Robin Swann warned against a “free for all” this Christmas which could result in a spike in cases next January.
The UK government has said anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland can travel on 22 and 28 December, but “only meet with their Christmas bubble” between 23 and 27 December.
The Health Minister Robin Swann is also expected to present a paper to colleagues about a mass vaccination programme for the North of Ireland.
He said all authorisation and checks would need to be carried out before vaccines can be administered.
The minister confirmed that 600 people, including retired health care workers, have come forward to volunteer as vaccinators.
This compares to 880 vaccinators currently working in the health trusts.
Mr Swann said the rules agreed across the UK were about providing “structure and clarity”.
He said it was also about providing an upbeat message at Christmas which was the message of “hope”.
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