NI could be about to deploy the New Zealand 'bubble approach' to allow you to meet your loved ones indoors

At present, people in Northern Ireland are not permitted to meet up with anyone from a different household indoors.

However, up to six people from different households can meet up indoors in the Republic of Ireland.

Mrs. Foster also said the Northern Ireland Executive will meet on Thursday to discuss the possibility of allowing people here to meet with friends and family indoors.

Speaking at Monday's daily coronavirus briefing in Belfast, Mrs. Foster mentioned New Zealand's "bubble approach" several times.

Mrs. Foster made the statement on the same day the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ahern, revealed the country had all but eradicated the deadly virus.

What is the New Zealand bubble approach?

The way it works is that you are permitted an established group of family or friends with whom you are permitted to meet with during lockdown.

As a country moves through the different phases of exit from lockdown the greater their bubble becomes e.g. at first it's your household; this expands to immediate family members etc.

This is how New Zealand describe the bubble approach on the official government website.

“People must stay within their household bubble but can expand this to reconnect with close family, or bring in caregivers, or support isolated people.

"It’s important to protect your bubble if you extend it. Keep your bubble exclusive and only include people where it will keep you and them safe and well.”

The logic behind the bubble approach is that it can reduce the number of people we would come into contact with.

It also means that should someone within a bubble become infected the virus would be much easier to track and trace.