by Q Radio News
The Northern Ireland Executive will meet later today to discuss the potential for further easing Covid -19 restrictions across the region.
The current guidelines came into play at the end of March, and by law are re-assessed every three weeks.
Ministers have already moved to slowly ease some restrictions here, by implementing parts of a five-step recovery plan.
Groups of up to six people from different households can now meet outdoors as long as everyone stays two metres apart, churches have reopened for individual prayer and golf courses have reopened.
Drive in church services, theatres and cinemas have also been given the go ahead over the last few weeks, as long as people stay inside their cars.
From today, the majority of state care monuments have also reopened to the public.
(Tully Castle, Co. Fermanagh)
Any changes announced later, are expected to be gradual and based on scientific evidence.
Many are hoping the announcement will allow family members to meet indoors, however the R number needs to be low enough in order for that to happen.
The measure is the only part of phase one in the executive's recovery plan that hasn't been given the go ahead.
Last week, Health Minister Robin Swann said the R number was between 0.7 and 0.8.
Meanwhile, there are calls for ministers to provide shops here with a timetable for reopening, similar to the one set-out in England.
However, when Stormont leaders published the five-step plan at the start of May, they made it clear easing out of lockdown would not be calendar based.
Swann refuses to rule out resigning if budget is not changed
Fresh inquests ordered into deaths of 15 killed in McGurk’s bomb blast
Trial ends after man accused of murder of young showjumper is found dead
A brief hearing and chaotic scenes as Donaldson makes first court appearance