If the Northern Ireland Executive does not come to an agreement during talks at Stormont today, the coronavirus circuit breaker will end at midnight on Friday.
It has been reported by senior politicians previous to this development that the restrictions will end at midnight on Thursday.
Businesses have taken this original date and time to plan their reopening and booking arrangements but are now left in the dark - again.
A statement from the Department of Health said: “Executive Ministers last night received revised legal advice that the deadline for the current restrictions on hospitality and close contact businesses is midnight on Friday November 13 and not tonight.”
Talks are entering a fourth day and a new proposal from Alliance leader Naomi Long is set to be debated by the NI Executive.
The five-party coalition will resume discussions today, just over 12 hours before regulations lapse, and it will be Naomi Long's paper which is on the table.
It is understood her proposal is a compromise it is hoped will appeal to all, bringing together Mr Swann's one week extension and Diane Dodd's partial reopening of the hospitality sector.
We will have all the latest updates on our live blog HERE.
