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A record 3,286 Covid-19 cases were reported by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health on Friday.
Three further fatalities of people who had tested positive for the virus were also notified, it said in its daily bulletin.
On Friday morning, there were 256 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 34 were in intensive care.
The landmark figure follows two days of more than 3,000 Covid-19 cases as the Omicron variant becomes dominant.
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Nightclubs will close in the North from 6am on December 26th and other restrictions will also come into effect for the rest of the hospitality sector on Sunday. People must remain seated for table service while table numbers will be limited to six. Dancing will also be prohibited in bars.
At a meeting on Wednesday, ministers agreed that sporting events could continue with no limits on capacity, while the work from home message would be bolstered and legislation introduced to require social distancing in offices and similar typed workplaces.
Employers will be encouraged to introduce lateral flow testing procedures for people who are still coming into work.
People attending large events will be urged to wear face masks, take lateral flow tests and not car share to or from the venues.
On Thursday evening, Ministers agreed a £40 million (€47m) grant scheme to support hospitality businesses affected by the latest restrictions.
Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 will be available to more than 3,200 eligible businesses.
Eligible businesses include nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, pubs/bars, social clubs or private members’ clubs.
Sporting clubhouses are not eligible.
The Department of Finance’s Land and Property Services will take the lead in developing the latest grant scheme.
The administration currently has around £200 million of funding available to respond to the developing Omicron variant threat, including £100 million recently committed by the Treasury.
The scheme was agreed by First Minister Paul Givan and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill by way of urgent procedure and without the requirement for a meeting of the powersharing administration.
The grants will be allocated related to the net annual value (Nav) of businesses' estimated rental value, the same system used to assess rates bills in Northern Ireland.
Businesses with a Nav up to £15,000 will be eligible for £10,000 grants.
Businesses with a Nav between £15,001 and £51,000 will be eligible for £15,000 while those with a Nav over £51,000 can claim £20,000.
Minister of Finance Conor Murphy said the Executive would continue to press the UK Government to provide more financial support, such as the reintroduction of the furlough scheme.
Ministers are due to meet again on December 30th to review the health measures and assess whether more action is need to suppress the spread of Omicron.
DUP leader
In his Christmas message, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said the threat posed by Covid-19 was real and could not be underestimated.
The DUP leader is currently isolating after contracting the virus.
Mr Donaldson said his symptoms remained mild, something he attributed to having been vaccinated.
Mr Donaldson told colleagues his key priorities in the time ahead were to work with the UK government to get a "better deal" from Brussels in negotiations on Brexit's Northern Ireland protocol and also to secure more support from the UK treasury to help those affected by Covid-19.
“For nearly two years now we have been living with the impact of Covid and the consequences that restrictions have had,” he wrote.
“Like countless others across Northern Ireland, I understand the difficulties that restrictions have caused.
“I buried my dad in lockdown.
“We have a large family and had to abide by the limited numbers. It was difficult.
“I know the pain of watching those who believe they are above the rules.
“But I also know the threat from Covid continues to be real and should not be underestimated.
“My symptoms are fairly mild so far and I credit that to the vaccine.
“There are tools in the fight against the virus and key to these is the booster vaccine programme.
“I got my booster a couple of weeks ago and that extra protection is very welcome.
“I urge everyone to get their vaccine and their booster jab.
“That helps protect us against serious illness, but vitally offers the best safeguard for our health service.
“Many of those Health Service staff and other blue light services will be working throughout the Christmas period.
“They make individual sacrifices but work as a team to serve and protect us all as a community.
“Their efforts are one of the many reasons that we can look ahead to the future with hope.” – PA