Coronavirus: Ministers to meet before NI lockdown eases

Stormont ministers have appealed to people in NI not to 'get caught up in the Christmas spirit' with Covid-19 lockdown restrictions set to be eased. A two-week lockdown ends at 23:59 GMT, meaning hairdressers, shops and some hospitality businesses can reopen. First Minister Arlene Foster urged people to be 'sensible' about limiting their social contacts. She said the executive was 'disappointed' that transmission of the virus had not reduced significantly. Another 14 coronavirus-related deaths were recorded by Northern Ireland's Department of Health on Thursday.