TRAVELLERS from the rest of the UK present "the greatest risk" of bringing coronavirus into Northern Ireland, it has been warned.
It is understood that Stormont health minister Robin Swann has been advised of the danger by the executive's chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.
It comes as Executive ministers are today expected to review the international travel regulations.
It is understood Mr Swann is keen to have issues around travel restrictions "resolved" at the meeting.
The BBC last night reported that it had seen a department of health document that states that the overall UK prevalence/incidence of the virus is "substantially greater" than in Northern Ireland.
"With regard to introducing the epidemic into Northern Ireland, travellers from the rest of the UK create by far the greatest risk, both in relative and absolute terms," it states.
The Department of Health declined to comment on the content of executive paper and said decisions around travel restrictions are a matter for the NI Executive.
From tomorrow, passengers entering England from dozens of countries will not have to quarantine, under what are known as "air bridges".
Northern Ireland's current position remains that travellers arriving from outside the UK and the Republic must quarantine for 14 days.
It is believed that Executive ministers will today discuss this issue.
Meanwhile, there were no new coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland yesterday.
Covid-19 related deaths recorded by the Department of Health remains at 554.
The latest figures on the department’s dashboard show the total number of confirmed positive cases of the virus now stands at 5,765, with four new positive tests recorded in the past 24 hours.
Two positive cases have been recorded in Belfast, one in Lisburn and another in Mid-East Antrim
