LOCALISED lockdowns will be considered in Northern Ireland when coronavirus cases pass 30 per 100,000 people during a seven-day period.
The Department of Health insisted it "will not hesitate" to return any area to tighter restrictions if transmission rates become "uncontrolled".
Public Health England statistics earlier this week revealed that Northern Ireland had the highest number of newly diagnosed cases per head in the UK over the weekend.
The region recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population between Friday and Sunday, compared with just 7.2 in Wales, 9.4 in Scotland and 10.2 in England.
The Belfast and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council areas were among the worst affected areas in the UK, with Southern Trust medical director Maria O'Kane warning that further outbreaks could occur at Craigavon Area Hospital due to high levels of virus in the surrounding area.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said "when the number of cases exceeds a threshold in a local area we begin to look at it more carefully".
"We consider cases per 100,000 of the local area population and if that number rises above 30 in 100,000 over the previous seven days then we begin to look at it closely to see what may be happening.
"This does not mean that local restrictions will be applied, but it does mean we need to investigate carefully and that people need to be especially careful to adhere to social distancing and other restrictions.
"In particular we will look to see if there is any evidence of clusters or outbreaks which can be addressed through the Test, Trace and Protect service.
"However, it is important to be clear that we will not hesitate to recommend local restrictions in any area where necessary if there is clear evidence of uncontrolled transmission of Covid which is likely to lead significant ill health at a population level."
Localised lockdowns have been introduced in Britain and the Republic in response to spikes in coronavirus cases.
In Bolton, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs have been restricted to takeaway only and all hospitality venues must close between 10pm and 5am.
A ban on mixing outside households in public settings will also be enforceable by law, while people are asked not to mix with other households in any setting and only use public transport for essential purposes.
Restrictions are being re-introduced in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, Preston, West Yorkshire, Blackburn, Oldham and Pendle.
