A further eight Covid-19-linked deaths have been reported by the Department of Health - bringing Northern Ireland's death toll to 2,087.
More than 600,000 people in Northern Ireland have now received at least one dose of the vaccine
Rapid coronavirus testing kits are being rolled out to employers in four key sectors in Northern Ireland
Health Minister Robin Swann appeals to people aged 60+ to book a vaccination
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride says the battle against Covid-19 'is not over, let alone won'
Matt Wills, the head of mass testing in NI, says mass testing will allow a return to as "normal a society as possible".
That's all from us for today - thanks for your company.
We'll leave you with these words of wisdom, written on a stone left at the harbour in Donaghadee, County Down.
Keep an eye on the BBC News NI website for all the latest coronavirus-related news.
Until the next one, stay safe.
A further eight Covid-19-linked deaths and 147 new cases have been reported by the Department of Health.
The figure, released today, brings Northern Ireland's death toll to 2,087.
All eight deaths occurred in the past 24 hours.
There are 212 patients receiving treatment for coronavirus in hospital, and 29 people with Covid-19 in ICU.
Asked about concerns over smaller retailers not being able to avail of mass testing yet, Matt Wills says plans are being looked at.
However, he tells reporters that "the low-hanging" fruit which includes other key sectors, needs prioritised first.
He says: “In the short to medium term, of course we will be looking at the rest of society and, in particular, those small retailers on the high street."
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC News NI’s health producer Lesley-Anne McKeown asks the minister about the issue of care home visiting.
Robin Swann says officials have advised him that more than 95% of NI care homes who submit returns confirm that they can support visits and are currently facilitating those.
He said the department changed the alert level last Monday from level five to level four which expands the opportunity for care home visits.
Image source, Reuters"A large number of our care homes can safely facilitate visits which undermines the argument that other care homes can’t do it," he said.
"We really want care homes to do the right thing, to be willing partners with us because we have supported them through testing, vaccinations and financial support.
"So if we have to go beyond that and take further steps then we will. We will work in conjunction with the older people’s commissioner to do that."
Asked about another potential wave of Covid-19 in autumn, the chief medical officer says he does not have figures in front of him but the potential for another spike in cases of the virus is the reason why the executive has taken a cautious and phased approach to lifting restrictions.
"No vaccine is 100% effective, not everyone will take up the offer of a vaccine and we cannot guarantee that everyone will get the absolute protection, so as we ease restrictions, we will see more cases," he says.
Image source, Getty Images"The more rapidly we ease those restrictions, there is a risk that the virus will get out of control. If that is the case, then we will see more waves of the virus."
Dr McBride says he knows that younger people "feel the frustration particularly intensely".
He commends them for the sacrifices they have made over the past year.
"They have put their life on hold for the sake, not just of their own grandparents and parents but other people's parents and grandparents that they don't even know.
"I want to thank them for that."
The chief medical officer says that while better weather may make it more appealing to meet up with friends, "please don't, not just yet".
"Please celebrate St Patrick's Day respectfully, within your own household and likewise Easter."
The three are now taking questions - first up is a query about a large crowd of Rangers fans that took to the streets in Belfast to celebrate the football team's Scottish Premiership win.
Mr Swann condemned the actions and said "it shouldn’t have happened and the club has urged fans to follow government guidelines, Steven Gerrad has said the same".
"Two wrongs don’t make a right, this virus does not care what foot you kick with or what sport you follow," he said.
"The potential of there being a spreader within that crowd, we will wait to see over the next few days with regards to testing and outbreak reports.
"It will be unfortunate and it will be regrettable if that event does lead to an increase in Covid infections within that area."
Workplaces providing key functions and with 50 or more employees, can now avail of mass testing.
The main sectors targeted are agri-food, manufacturing, retail and construction – industries which Matt Wills says are more exposed to risk of infection.
At today’s briefing, he says business will need to cooperate in order for mass testing to be a success.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, InphoDr Michael McBride stresses that "it is important that we do not drop our guard".
"I know that some have indicated that they believe that we are being too cautious, however, it's my job and others' job and my absolute duty to set out the public health position based on the evidence and to explain the uncertainties so that all decisions are fully informed," says the chief medical officer.
"That includes the inevitability as restrictions ease and more mixing happens, some will get very sick.
"Against all of that, we cannot stay locked down forever. The restrictions themselves are hugely damaging to society and to individuals. It has damaged lives and it has damaged livelihoods."
He adds that it is "quite right" for executive ministers to evaluate how Northern Ireland eases out of lockdown most effectively, but says the public health advice should continue to be followed.
It is now over to Northern Ireland's chief medical officer.
Dr Michael McBride opens by taking the opportunity to send his condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.
He says the vaccine rollout is operating ahead of schedule and says that there is increased knowledge on how to treat people with the virus.
"But the battle itself is not over, let alone won," he says.
Mr Swann added that vaccination is not the only line of defence and "test and trace is also vital."
He announced an important expansion of the testing programme for the Northern Ireland workforce which will involve rapid turnaround tests.
"I fully understand calls for restrictions to be relaxed and I understand the impatience, however, we still have to tread carefully and never underestimate this virus.
"We have to build steadily on the progress we had, because we are turning the corner, so let's keep going."
Image source, Getty ImagesMatt Wills, head of mass testing in Northern Ireland, is appearing at his first Covid-19 briefing today.
Earlier, the Department of Health announced an expansion of testing across different sectors.
Mr Wills says this approach to mass testing will allow a return to as "normal a society as possible".
In closing, he says testing is a tool within a range of measures used to keep the population safe.
Mr Swann said that vaccination provides "an important protection to the virus" and "it is our bridge to better times and to more freedoms in our lives".
He said "another landmark has been passed" as the number of first doses administered in NI has pushed through the 600,00 mark,
"Significant quantities of vaccine have arrived and are being distributed to GPs, the biggest delivery received to date."
He added that the vaccine programme will be accelerated and they will be announcing the next stage of the rollout next week.
Health Minister Robin Swann opens by expressing his condolences to the families of eight more people who have died with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.
He appealed to those who think the pandemic is over to “please think again” and that "we still have work to do."
“I want to make a personal appeal to anyone aged 60 plus, please don’t delay in getting vaccinated.”
“Vaccinations are available at regional centres and can be booked online and by telephone."
Mr Swann said they will shortly be extending the vaccination programme to other age groups and more pressure on will be on those slots.
“Book now, don’t hold back, tell your friends, tell your relatives and get your vaccination booked in.”
Image source, BEN BIRCHALL/PA WIREThe Department of Health announced that a new Covid-19 rapid testing regime will be made available for key workers across Northern Ireland.
The national testing programme will use lateral flow tests to help expand asymptomatic testing in NI workplaces.
Lateral flow testing can provide results within 30 minutes.
Health Minister Robin Swann said the rollout of workplace testing would prevent temporary workplace closures.
"The rollout of workplace testing will help to prevent this by identifying asymptomatic positive cases and interrupting transmission of the virus.
"This will benefit employers and society as a whole as it will help to keep infection rates down across Northern Ireland."
Eunan McConville
BBC News NI
More than one in five people vaccinated against Covid-19, so far, in Northern Ireland have been healthcare workers.
The Department of Health has gone live with a new dashboard, external detailing vaccinations.
Much of the information was previously available from a variety of sources, but this brings the statistics together in one place.
The figures show that about 125,000 people received their vaccines because of their status as healthcare workers.
Image source, Getty ImagesFamilies are still being denied visits to elderly relatives in care homes despite the success of the Covid-19 vaccine programme, Northern Ireland's older people's commissioner has claimed.
Eddie Lynch expressed concern about "possible human rights breaches".
Care home residents were among the first to be prioritised for vaccines and most residents have now received both jabs.
The Department of Health said more than half of care homes have visiting or care partner arrangements in place and officials are working to support others.
Face-to-face visits were stopped in care homes last April as coronavirus cases rose.
Image source, Getty ImagesGood afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the latest coronavirus briefing.
Health Minister Robin Swann will be joined by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, and Matt Wills, head of mass testing for Northern Ireland, at the podium at about 16:00 GMT today.
You can watch live via the play button at the top of this page and we'll also have live text updates here.