Social distancing in bars and restaurants across Northern Ireland is to be scrapped from the end of this month.
Reports have indicated that legal restrictions on social distancing in hospitality will be lifted here on October 31, with a number of mitigations in place, but these will not be legally required.
Mitigations include businesses being asked to check for vaccine certificates.
Those working in the hospitality industry had argued that social distancing requirements were damaging trade.
Stormont executive ministers are currently meeting to discuss easing coronavirus restrictions, with an official announcement expected later on Thursday. Follow live updates here.
Earlier this week, First Minister Paul Givan said he hoped the executive could agree to further changes to the rules.
Mr Givan had previously indicated that he wanted any decisions taken this week to come into effect on 14 October.
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Under existing rules, social distancing of at least 1m (3ft) remains a legal requirement in pubs, bars and restaurants in Northern Ireland.
Last week, Health Minister Robin Swan n warned that a delay by the executive in agreeing a vaccine passport policy had limited options for easing more restrictions.
But it is understood that there is still no firm proposal from the executive office or Department of Health for such a scheme to go ahead.
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