The Department for Economy has said that the High Street Vouchers will be blocked from being used online when it is launched.
The High Street Scheme, which will see everyone over the age of 18 in Northern Ireland be elgible for a £100 voucher, will commence after September 12.
People will have until October 11 to apply for the scheme.
Concerns had been raised this week after the Department said that it would not be able to control how people spend the voucher money.
But it has now clarified that the pre-paid cards will be blocked from use online by the card provider.
They will be able to be used in any business where customers are able to pay using a credit or debit card.
It said that the scheme has been designed in order for it to be as simple as possible for the public to use.
A spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said: “As we have said on previous occasions, the High Street Scheme is designed to stimulate demand in local businesses, including retail and hospitality sector outlets, following the pandemic, and the scheme has been designed to be as simple for the public to use as possible to allow them to spend their £100 pre-paid card in local businesses across Northern Ireland.
"The card cannot be used on-line as it will be blocked by the card provider. People will be able to use the pre-paid card in a similar way that debit and credit cards are used – therefore if a business can accept debit and credit cards for payment then it will be able to accept the High Street Scheme card."
