Northern Ireland is to close pubs and restaurants and extend the Halloween break for schools as part of a four-week 'circuit-breaker' lockdown.
First Minister Arlene Foster announced the restrictions at a special sitting of the Assembly this morning.
It comes as a record number of Coronavirus cases have been recorded in the north in the last 24 hours.
There were 1217 new cases of Covid 19 and four additional deaths.
The Irish government is expected to decide whether to impose tougher restrictions on border counties as a result. The cabinet will meet this evening to consider moving border counties to level 4 restrictions.
A source said it may only be Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan that are jumped up to level four with Louth and Leitrim escaping restrictions.
NPHET isn't expected to meet today but Dr Tony Holohan's opinion will be passed on to Ministers.
Under level 4 non-essential retail would close and there can be no visitors invited to your home. Weddings will be limited to 6 attendees. It is expected schools will stay open.
It will be this evening before cabinet meets - but with the Taoiseach set to travel to Brussels for the EU summit tomorrow a decision will be taken tonight.
