Summary

  • Stormont ministers make their order for people to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus legally enforceable.

  • Northern Ireland is in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which non-essential retail is closed.

  • Other parts of the UK have tightened restrictions amid rising Covid-19 cases.

  • On Tuesday, the Department of Health in NI recorded a further 1,378 Covid-19 cases and 18 more virus-related deaths.

  • Post-primary transfer tests have been cancelled in NI amid a Covid-19 surge.

Live Reporting

  1. Michelle O'Neill: 'Transfer test should not proceed'

    Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted yesterday saying she does not think the transfer test should go ahead this weekend.

    Announcements about what will happen with this year's school transfer tests are expected later today.

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  2. New lockdowns begin in England and Scotland

    On the same day Northern Ireland is on the brink of new, tougher restrictions, people in England and Scotland are already getting used to stricter rules.

    People in all of England and most of Scotland must now stay at home except for a handful of exceptional reasons.

    Schools have closed to most pupils in England, Scotland and Wales.

    Boris Johnson announces national lockdown to control Covid-19 variant

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the coming weeks would be the "hardest yet" in a televised address on Monday night.

    The UK reported a record 58,784 cases on Monday, as well as another 407 deaths within 28 days of a positive result. Mr Johnson said hospitals were under "more pressure from Covid than at any time since the start of the pandemic".

    Read more here.

  3. What about transfer tests?

    Exams

    This is a pressing question for many parents and young people given the first of this year's tests - used by grammar schools to select pupils - is due to take place on Saturday.

    It is understood AQE and PPTC - the organisations that run the tests - will make announcements on whether the tests will go ahead later today.

    Just two days ago, AQE confirmed its test this Saturday would go ahead - but that was before announcements of strict new regulations across the UK to battle the surge in virus cases.

    With schools now expected to move to remote learning for an extended period of time, it remains to be seen what will happen with the tests.

    We'll bring you the latest as we get it.

  4. Stay-at-home order to be made legally enforceable

    With the NI Executive set to meet later to finalise new Covid-19 restrictions, here's what we understand will happen.

    It's expected that ministers will make their order for people to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus legally enforceable.

    Ministers have also said there will be an "extended period of remote learning" for school pupils.

    Belfast city centreReuters

    That means schools will close to most children.

    The new measures come as other parts of the UK tightened their Covid-19 restrictions.

    Northern Ireland is in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which non-essential retail is closed.

    Read more here.

  5. Good afternoon

    ...and welcome to our live coverage on the new Covid-19 restrictions set to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

    The Northern Ireland Executive is set to meet at 14:00 GMT, before confirming what new rules will be in place.

    We'll be bringing you all the latest news, reaction and analysis throughout the day, so stick with us.