350 sports clubs and organisations have applied for financial assistance through the Department for Communities Hardship Fund for Sport since the scheme was launched on Monday.

Speaking at today’s press conference in Parliament Buildings, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “This is another deeply distressing day for all of us in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Executive ministers and their officials have over the past 24 hours been involved in a number of initiatives and critical decisions relating to the Coronavirus emergency.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA is to introduce legislation in the Assembly to extend the notice to quit period a landlord must give a tenant to 12 weeks.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has confirmed that testing is now underway at the site of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centre in Newtownards.