LOCKDOWN restrictions will remain in place in Northern Ireland for at least another three weeks, as the Covid-19 death toll rose to 140.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the social distancing measures were "appropriate and proportionate" and would continue until May 9, when a further review will take place.
The decision followed a meeting of the Executive.
A further 121 new cases of infection were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total to 2,088 across the north.
Six further hospital deaths were also revealed.
In the Republic, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said 1,068 new cases of coronavirus brought the confirmed number of infections to 12,547, while 38 more fatalities meant the death toll in the south now stands at 444.
At the daily press briefing in London yesterday, it was revealed that a further 761 deaths had brought the UK-wide total to 12,868.
Speaking at Stormont, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill warned of the danger of "complacency" when it comes to social distancing, saying: "We must keep going for this for as long as we need to. Keeping these measures in place remains a necessity. We know it's not easy, but this is the time to dig in.
"This is the time to stay strong and this is the time to stay at home and to save lives."
Health minister Robin Swann also stressed the need for restrictions to remain in place, despite suggesting the peak of the first Covid-19 wave may be "less severe" than initially feared.
"The prospect of a second surge later this year must weigh heavily on all our minds," he said.
"This is no time for final verdicts to be delivered, favourable or critical. We are in this for the long haul.
"We will also have to face up to difficult conversations down the line about when or if to ease any social distancing restrictions. That time is not now. At this moment in time, we have to stick firmly with the measures we have."
Meanwhile, Ms O'Neill responded to suggestions of a dispute with Mr Swann over whether the British army could play a role in assisting the north's health service during the lockdown.
Last weekend the Sinn Féin minister had accused Mr Swann of asking British army assistance with logistics support and equipment delivery without consulting his Executive colleagues.
She told reporters yesterday that she has since had a discussion with the health minister.
"My number one priority is to save lives and whatever is required, including using the British army to save lives, I will not stand in the way, that's what I'm here to do. I only have one objective," she said.
"I have raised concerns with the health minister around how that was communicated and the fact there wasn't an executive discussion but I've had that conversation with Robin. There clearly is guidelines around these things and all departments will be aware of those guidelines."
