The Stormont Executive is meeting on Thursday to discuss the current lockdown restrictions.
It is understood ministers will discuss extending the restrictions to March 5.
The six-week lockdown announced in December is due to end on February 6.
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Health Minister Robin Swann said he would bring a paper for ministers to consider around restrictions.
While he did not reveal his recommendations, he said that this is “not the time to open any floodgates”.
The rate of infections has slowed however hospitals remain under pressure.
On Wednesday, there were 832 Covid-positive patients in hospital, 67 of whom were in intensive care units.
Updated / Thursday, 21 Jan 2021
22:28
Northern Ireland s coronavirus lockdown restrictions have been extended to 5 March.
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann proposed the step to help drive down case numbers, saying this was not the time to open any floodgates .
Ministerial colleagues at the Executive agreed the move following a meeting in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
The measures will be reviewed next month, but there are suggestions the restrictions could ultimately continue until Easter in early April.
An extended lockdown began after Christmas with the closure of non-essential retailers, schools were shut to most pupils and employees were encouraged to work from home.
Family gatherings are prohibited and police enforcement has been stepped up.
Covid-19: Patient waits 28 hours as hospitals struggle
16 December 2020 Image caption There were queues of ambulances outside Antrim Area Hospital on Tuesday night
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are continuing to face severe pressures after a night which saw queuing ambulances outside hospitals across NI.
On Wednesday morning there were 48 people in the emergency department at Antrim Area hospital.
An emergency department consultant from the Ulster Hospital said one patient there had waited 28 hours for a bed.
Speaking on BBC s Evening Extra, Sean McGovern, said: That patient is still waiting, they re waiting within the emergency department. People are maybe waiting on a bed in a designated area within the emergency department, or waiting on a trolley.
Covid-19 : Queues of ambulances at Antrim hospital as North s health service come under pressure irishtimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishtimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.