Health Minister Robin Swann has opted to extend his department's powers under the Coronavirus Act for a further six months.
Mr Swann said he has "no plans and certainly no desire" to introduce any further Covid restrictions but he has been advised the risk of a new variant "cannot be excluded".
The UUP minister said there is "considerable uncertainty" as to whether he would be able to unilaterally introduce any new restrictions in the continuing absence of Stormont power-sharing.
