First Minister Givan confirms change in Covid isolation period

First Minister Paul Givan has confirmed a change in the Covid-19 isolation period in Northern Ireland.

He took to Twitter to confirm the current seven-day period will be cut to five days, with the new rule taking effect from Friday.

It comes ahead of an Executive meeting on Thursday where ministers are to discuss the current guidance.

They are expected to lift some restrictions after similar moves in the rest of the UK.

Mr Givan tweeted: "I’ve been engaging with colleagues & officials on what Covid measures can be lifted at tomorrow’s Executive.

"I’m hopeful we can make progress."

The First Minister, along with deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, met with Health Minister Robin Swann, chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young on Wednesday to discuss the latest state of the pandemic in Northern Ireland.

In its latest update, the Department for Health said there have been a further six coronavirus-related deaths and another 4,451 new cases.

Mr Givan and Ms O'Neill will travel to Londonderry on Thursday for a visit, and will remain in the city to virtually chair a meeting of the Executive.

Ministers are expected to consider a series of relaxations of Covid-19 rules.

Ms O'Neill said she hopes to be able to make "some positive strides forward on the Covid front, and particularly in relation to restrictions all the while guided of course by the health advice".

She said: "We will be taking tomorrow's Executive meeting from Derry where we will be visiting a number of fantastic new projects that are going to create jobs and generate income for the local economy."