© Provided by The Independent Northern Ireland will enter a new period of tougher coronavirus restrictions in response to increasing infection rates.
While the fresh measures do not amount to a full-scale lockdown similar to the one imposed during the first wave of the virus, they represent an aggressive move in the administration's methods in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
This is what the new rules in Northern Ireland will look like.
What are the new rules?
Pubs and restaurants will be forced to close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries. Off licences will have to shut at 8pm.
Similarly, schools will close on Monday for two weeks, one of which covers the half-term break.
Retail outlets will remain open, as will gyms.
Indoor sporting activities have been banned and outdoor contact sports limited only to elite athletes.
Churches will also remain open, although there will reportedly be a 25-person limit on funerals and weddings. Wedding receptions are prohibited.
People are being encouraged to work from home unless they are unable to do so and have been urged not to take unnecessary journeys.
The majority of measures will come into force on Friday.
What other rules are in force in Northern Ireland?
Current restrictions on households mixing will remain.
It means no households are allowed to mix in private dwellings, though exceptions include those joined in social bubbles and gatherings in the gardens of private dwellings, provided they are limited to six people from no more than two households.
How did Arlene Foster justify the rules?
Northern Ireland's first minister, Arlene Foster, announced the restrictions during a special sitting of the Assembly on Wednesday.
She said the rising Covid-19 figures in Northern Ireland were of "grave concern".
"We fully appreciate that this will be difficult and worrying news for a lot of people," she told MLAs.
"The executive has taken this decision because it is necessary, and we discussed the impacts in great detail. We do not take this step lightly."
Ms Foster said the executive hoped the restrictions would have two impacts.
"First, on the Covid transmission rates, which must be turned down now, or we will be in a very difficult place very soon indeed," she said.
"Second, we believe it marks a point where everyone, each and every one of us, can take stock and go back to the social distancing messaging. That is vitally important."
Ms Foster said the restrictions would last no longer than four weeks.
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