Stephen Donnelly has said the move to Level 5 restrictions is a “pre-emptive strike” and while the hospital services are okay, if we do not move now these services will suffer.
The exit from Level 5 in December could be “region by region” depending on a range of factors, he said.
The Health Minister said while fatality levels are lower than in the first wave, they are rising and have doubled in the last two weeks.
He said protecting human safety and health, health services, education services and jobs are the Government’s priorities.