Covid-19: new powers for 'stay at home' message
23 December 2020
Image caption
Home for Christmas: travellers arriving at Belfast International Airport
Health Minister Robin Swann says the Stormont executive's stay-at-home lockdown message will be made "legally enforceable".
It comes after a request he made to the executive to ensure people abide by new rules taking effect on Saturday.
It will mean people outside of their homes between 20:00 and 06:00 until 2 January, without a reasonable excuse, could be asked to return home.
Mr Swann said the PSNI would be given "additional" enforcement powers.
Initially the executive agreed the stay at home message would remain guidance rather than law.