NORTHERN Ireland's original five-day relaxation of restrictions allowing three households to gather between December 23 and 27 has been slashed to just Christmas Day.
Flexibility will be given to people working on December 25 to enable them to join others on another day over the festive break.
The decision was made on Sunday night by Stormont ministers who took in an emergency virtual Executive meeting as coronavirus cases continue to spiral.
First Minister Arlene Foster said she deeply regretted that official guidance on the holiday season had changed.
A temporary ban on travel from Britain to the north in response to the new Covid-19 variant was also debated. However, a decision was not reached.
In relation to the "Christmas bubble", people can come together from three different households. However, the households in your bubble cannot be part of another bubble.
University students who travel home will be counted as part of their family household.
You can only meet your bubble in private homes, a place of worship or an outdoor public place.
The six-week lockdown will come into force from December 26. A curfew between 8pm and 6am will be in place for the first week until January 2 when no gatherings - indoor or outdoor - will be permitted.
During the curfew period, people will not be allowed to meet in private gardens or indoors in any setting between these times, with the exception of emergencies or the provision of health or care services.
Outdoor exercise will be permitted only with members of your own household and no organised sporting activity will be allowed at all during this week. Elite sport will be allowed to resume without spectators from January 2.
From Boxing Day, all non-essential retail will close along with close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians.
Hospitality venues will shut their doors and only allowed to offer takeaway and delivery services. Pubs that do not serve food will remain closed.
