Further restrictions 'remain on table' - Michelle O'Neill

The Deputy First Minister has said a potential extension of Northern Ireland's four-week circuit-break lockdown cannot be taken off the table.

Michelle O'Neill, in her first press conference since emerging from 14 days' self-isolation, said she hoped the current measures could be lifted on November 13.

But she stressed that an extension may need to be considered if the virus has not been sufficiently suppressed.

[ Read more: Covid-19 daily cases hit second highest total as five more deaths recorded in Northern IrelandOpens in new window ]

"I am very open and honest about the fact that we're in a very challenging situation," she said.

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"And I believe that everything has to remain on the table, I don't want us to have to impose further restrictions, I hope we can avoid that.

"I think if everybody works really hard at the measures we've brought into place now in this intervention, then we possibly can avoid that. I want us to be able to avoid that. But I'm honest enough to be able to say that all these things have to remain on the table."