The number of people who have died with coronavirus in NI is now 329, according to the latest statistics
A further 20 deaths were announced on Tuesday
The total number of deaths in UK hospitals is 21,678, after a further 586 were announced on Tuesday
In the Republic of Ireland, a further 59 deaths were confirmed on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,159
Trading Standards issue a number of enforcement notices to traders engaged in profiteering during the coronavirus outbreak
Thanks for staying with us today and following the latest developments in the battle against coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
We'll be back tomorrow at 07:30 BST to keep you up to date.
Goodnight and take care.
Image source, Getty Images/Stock imageSunset over Belfast shipyard
Spain has announced a four-phase plan to lift its stringent coronavirus lockdown and return to a "new normality" by the end of June.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said each region would relax restrictions at a different pace, depending on the severity of its outbreak.
Four Spanish islands will be first to ease measures from 4 May, with the rest of Spain following a week later.
Spain's coronavirus outbreak has so far killed almost 24,000 people.
Image source, AFPSpain will lift its strict virus lockdown in four phases until the end of June, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said
At today's Stormont press conference, Health Minister Robin Swann and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride stressed now was not the time to relax social distancing measures.
The message still seems to be getting through in Derry City and Strabane, where police have tweeted their thanks to local people for continuing to adhere to restrictions.
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Image source, Getty ImagesCommunities Minister Deirdre Hargey has thanked Assembly members for "swiftly passing" legislation to strengthen protection to private renters during the crisis.
The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill was introduced into the Assembly on 21 April and had its final stage today.
It will mean that landlords will be required to give tenants a 12-week 'notice to quit' period, ensuring tenancies are protected throughout this period.
Ms Hargey said:“It was necessary to introduce measures to help prevent households having to leave their homes.
“This legislation will protect private renters, securing their accommodation, allowing them to protect their health and reducing the movement of people.
"It will enable vulnerable people to shield, self-isolate and social distance."
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you're just joining us, here are some of the key developments today.
Another 20 people have died with coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
That brings the total number of deaths to 329, although this figure, which relates mainly to hospital fatalities, is likely to rise.
In the Republic of Ireland, 59 more people have died, with the number of deaths there now standing at 1,159.
Coronavirus deaths in hospitals across the UK, have reached 21,678 - a rise of 586 from Monday.
In other developments:
SDLP representatives have raised concerns after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council announced plans to reduce its workforce as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
MLA Matthew O’Toole has written to Finance Minister Conor Murphy asking him to issue "urgent guidance on the ability of public sector organisations to access the Job Retention Scheme and to outline additional support for local government".
Mr O'Toole said it was "an appalling situation".
"Staff at this council should not be facing losing their jobs in the middle of this crisis when the UK government has implemented schemes that offer wage subsidy," he added.
The party said SDLP councillors on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council refused to endorse the plans.
Image source, InphoLeague of Ireland clubs will assess a proposal by the Football Association of Ireland for a safe return to action behind closed doors.
Niall Quinn, interim deputy CEO of the FAI, said the document "offers a real platform for debate".
He added the Irish government has the final say on when and how football returns.
Quinn said the FAI is committed to giving "the best financial proposition available" to clubs and players.
Read more on this story here.
Image source, Getty ImagesMore bad news from the world of business tonight as it emerges that British Airways is set to cut up to 12,000 jobs from its 42,000-strong workforce due to a collapse in business because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The airline's parent company, IAG, said it needed to impose a "restructuring and redundancy programme" until demand for air travel returns to 2019 levels.
The pilots' union Balpa said it was "devastated" at the news and vowed to fight "every single" job cut.
IAG also owns Spanish airline Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus.
Read more on this story here.
Sara Girvin
BBC News NI
As the health service focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic, many medical procedures have been put on hold - including fertility treatment.
IVF has been postponed in Northern Ireland, as is the case in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Sarah Patterson and her husband were told that IVF could help them conceive at the end of last year.
They are now awaiting a date for it to start, but the postponement means it's delayed indefinitely.
Read more on this story here.
Rory Cellan-Jones
Technology correspondent
Building a coronavirus contact-tracing app that might help the UK emerge from lockdown has been a titanic effort - and it has largely taken place in private.
But now the NHS chief responsible has told MPs he hopes the first version will be ready in a fortnight's time.
Matthew Gould also disclosed plans to log the location of whenever two or more people are in close proximity for minutes at a time.
Image source, Getty ImagesThat will disturb privacy campaigners.
However, NHSX - the health service's digital innovation unit - has told BBC News this extra request will be "opt in" rather than the default setting.
Image source, PacemakerHealth Minister Robin Swann has provided some more detail on the expansion of Covid-19 testing in Northern Ireland.
Mr Swann says "testing is not and should never be regarded as a silver bullet", but he says "it is a vital part of our weaponry and will continue to be so".
He says the expansion of testing includes:
Uefa has given the Northern Ireland Football League a deadline of 25 May to submit its plan for the restart of the Northern Ireland football season.
NIFL issued an update today on the directives it has received from Uefa.
Entry to Uefa club competitions will be "based on sporting merit" and all national organisations have been urged to do all they can to "bring competitions to a natural end".
Football in Northern Ireland is currently suspended until 31 May.
"It remains impossible to commit to a date when competitions could resume," NIFL's statement said.
"This will continue to depend on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic and the guidance from the UK Government and health authorities, but most importantly when it is safe for everyone to return to a sporting arena."
Read more on this story here.
There have now been a total of 19,877 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.
In the past 24 hours, 59 more Covid-linked deaths brought the country's total to 1,159.
Image source, Getty ImagesFigures up to midnight on Sunday show that of the country's confirmed cases:
Kevin Sharkey
BBC News NI
Image source, Getty ImagesAntrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has announced plans to reduce its workforce because of the Covid-19 crisis.
The plan relates to 73 agency and short-term workers.
In a statement, the council says that due to "social distancing measures put in place to try and reduce the spread and impact of Covid-19", it has been "required to close or reduce most facilities and activities".
It adds that it "is experiencing a significant reduction in its income".
It says an Emergency Financial Plan was agreed at a council meeting yesterday.
"Given our reduced operating requirements, it is proposed to decrease by 73 the number of agency and short service staff, that are not essential to the operations of the council at this time," the council says.
"These proposals are subject to trade union consultation.
"We recognise that this will have a significant impact on those directly affected and it is not a decision that the council has taken lightly.
"However, having exhausted other options, the council believes this urgent action is required to ensure financial stability as it streamlines services within a declining budget while safeguarding our front line services and maintaining future rate rises at an affordable level for residents.”
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose by 34 in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 3,408.
There have been outbreaks in 69 NI care homes.
The Department of Health figures show that there are 790 Covid-19 hospital inpatients, while 3,203 people have been discharged from hospital.
Image source, Getty ImagesThirty-four ICU beds are occupied by confirmed or suspected Covid patients. Thirty-six ICU beds remain available.
A total of 1,301 hospital beds remain unoccupied.
Charities "will face a time of reckoning" after the coronavirus crisis, according to the NI Council for Voluntary Action (Nicva).
Its chief executive Seamus McAleavey told BBC News NI charities were "trying their best to cope" with an immediate loss of many fundraising streams.
He warned some could face a "slow uphill climb" after the pandemic.
St John Ambulance is among those under threat, a volunteer said today.
Read more on this story here.
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you, or someone you know, have been affected by domestic abuse or violence, the following organisations may be able to help.
If you are in immediate danger, you should dial 999.
You can find more information by clicking here.
Justice Minister Naomi Long has told the NI Assembly there have been four domestic homicides in Northern Ireland since the introduction of lockdown measures.
The MLA for East Belfast was speaking at a Stormont discussion of the Domestic Abuse Bill, saying she has spoken to many victims who were the driving force behind the bill.
The minister said it was important for people suffering abuse during the Covid-19 lockdown to know that they are not alone.
"Calls to the 24-hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline have increased by around 52% since the start of the lockdown period, 70% increased the week before last," she said.
"There is a person behind every one of those statistics."
Victims who are reporting abuse but are unable to speak due to the presence of the abuser can call 999 and then press 55 to alert the police that they are in danger.
Fifty-nine more people have died in the Republic of Ireland after being diagnosed with Covid-19, the Irish Department of Health says.
It brings the total number of people in the country who have died following a coronavirus diagnosis to 1,159.
Royal Mail has announced that from 2 May it will not deliver letters on Saturdays.
Most parcels - including all tracked parcels - and special delivery items will still be delivered on Saturdays.
Image source, PA MediaKellin McCloskey of the Consumer Council, said they understood "this is a challenging time for all delivery key workers across Northern Ireland.
"We recognise the great work of Royal Mail staff at this time, when consumers are more reliant than ever on their deliveries.
“The change to withdrawing letter delivery on a Saturday should have minimal impact on consumers, but will allow Royal Mail the ability to better manage its network given the problems it is facing with corona-related absences and necessary social distancing."
