Those shielding from Covid-19 at home will be allowed to go outside next week.
First Minister Arlene Foster revealed the step at today's press briefing on measures to fight the virus.
Anyone who is vulnerable and shielding can expect to receive a letter outlining the latest advice for them in the coming days.
Mrs Foster said: "In consultation with the chief medical officer and the chief scientific advisor we can advise that from next Monday, the 8th of June, those who are shielding will be able to spend time outside with people from their own household or one person from another household whilst ensuring social distancing is observed.
"We believe that this is a reasonable and proportionate first step.
"People who are shielding will receive a letter with further advice in the coming days."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill added: "It is a baby step... this is about not taking any big steps forward.
"It's a wee bit of light at the end of the tunnel. We want people to hear the message that things are positive - that they are moving in the right direction."
Mrs Foster added that the Executive will consider further relaxations for people who are shielding in line with medical advice throughout June.
Over 70s are not automatically in the shielding group, she said, but she advised that they follow social distancing advice strictly to reduce the risk of catching Covid-19.
The First Minister also hit out at those attending mass gatherings and an assault on police at the weekend and said how people act in the coming weeks could dictate the roll-back of restrictions.
She said: "Despite warnings... we have seen over the weekend new evidence of complacency and indeed in the worst cases there has been flagrant disregard for public safety.
"Scenes like the one we all witnessed at Ballyholme beach on Friday night are simply not acceptable.
"To compound that further, assaulting a police officer is an insult to the police, emergency services and health staff who have been putting their own lives at risk in order to prevent wide scale death."
"The world has not beaten Covid-19," she added.
"This is a global pandemic without a vaccine, yet, and it still dwells among us and it loves mass gatherings."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she 'is sorry for the loss' of another person to Coronavirus following the latest Department of Health figures.
She also touched on the date that hotels, hostels, caravans, B&Bs and holiday homes can reopen, saying that the July 20 date is only "indicative" and could change - but that it will allow businesses to plan.
"It will be focused on ensuring the safety of workers and guests," she added.
"As our recovery plan sets out, we must be able to retain the flexibility that's needed to respond to the emerging situation."
But when such accommodation reopens, it will not be "a return to business as usual" she warned.
The Deputy First Minister also said she hopes the crisis will help to deliver change in Northern Ireland, with a sustainable economy that is "fair and balanced" and built around the "welfare of all our people".
"We need to be thinking seriously about the kind of society we wish to have on the other side of this crisis," she added.
