The availability of Covid-19 lateral flow testing in Northern Ireland has been extended until July 31, Stormont's Department of Health has announced.
It has also reduced to five days the advised self-isolation period after a positive Covid-19 test.
Under current arrangements, lateral flow tests are available to members of the public with Covid-19 symptoms, including those who may be eligible for Covid treatments.
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Tests are also available to a small number of groups without symptoms including health and social care staff, those visiting others in health and care settings, and those providing close personal care to someone at higher risk should they contract Covid-19 .
This availability has been extended for a further month.
Earlier this year, the guidance on self-isolation was up to 10 days, but this could end early with two negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart from day five.
From today, this has been reduced. Adults who test positive for Covid-19 are advised to stay home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day of test or from the day symptoms started.
As children tend to be less infectious than adults, this period is reduced to three days for children under 18 years of age.
However, while the self-isolation period has been reduced, people are advised to avoid contact with individuals at higher risk from Covid-19 for the full 10 days.
They should also avoid visiting others in care homes, hospitals and other health and social care settings.
Testing to end isolation is no longer advised.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: "I have always said I would keep Covid-19 measures under review. It is clear that after a period of reducing case numbers we are now seeing a rise in cases.
"Whilst prevalence continues to be relatively high, thankfully the overall risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death for those who contract Covid-19 is much lower than during previous waves.
"That said, we continue to see severe pressures in our hospitals and the contribution of Covid-19, even though admission numbers are smaller than in previous waves, adds to these pressures.
"After careful consideration I have decided to extend the availability of lateral flow testing for those with symptoms until the end of July."
On self-isolation, he added: "This updated advice seeks to strike the right balance at this stage of the pandemic between reducing transmission, protecting the vulnerable and mitigating the disruption caused by longer periods of isolation."
Covid-19 symptoms have changed significantly since the start of the pandemic and are now very often similar to other respiratory viruses, the health department said.
It said the same public health advice is therefore appropriate in relation to all respiratory illness symptoms.
The department said: "If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out your normal activities, stay home and minimise your contact with others until you feel well.
"You should particularly avoid contact with those considered vulnerable and you should not visit others in health and social care settings if you are feeling unwell or continue to have symptoms.
"This is the advice for all people with symptoms of respiratory infections, not just Covid-19. Those who test positive for Covid-19 should stay at home in line with the updated isolation guidance announced today."
Further detail on what to do if you develop symptoms can be found on the NI Direct website.
Contact tracing for the general population has been phased out over the past couple of months and the service has now been formally stood down since Thursday.
The Public Health Agency will retain the ability to deliver a "proportionate" testing and contact tracing in future if required, the health department said.
Mr Swann added: "I want to thank the staff in the Public Health Agency and the wider health service who have worked in the Contact Tracing Service for their exceptional professionalism and dedication over the past two challenging years.
"I would also like to thank everyone who engaged with the service, provided details of their contacts and complied with the guidance."
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