Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said self-isolating was a "tough number of weeks for me and my family".
The Sinn Fein vice-president thanked people for their well-wishes as she made a return today to Stormont.
Ms O'Neill had to self-isolate earlier this month after a positive coronavirus test result in her household.
She continued with her ministerial work remotely, but was unable to attend some joint press conferences with First Minister Arlene Foster.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy stepped in for the media briefings during her self-isolation.
Ms O'Neill today posted a video message of herself outside Parliament Buildings in Belfast.
She said: "It is great to be back out of self-isolation. It has been a tough number of weeks for me and my family.
"But I am glad to say that we are all doing well and are all recovering.
"Thank you so much to everybody for all the good wishes that you sent us. We really appreciate it.
"I am very mindful of all those people that are self-isolating. It is very difficult and I really understand how challenging it is."
Ms O'Neill added: "I am back here today at Stormont where I will be working to get a pathway to recovery, to get us out of this current situation of lockdown because it can't go on forever.
"Let's look to the future with optimism, and be hopeful because there are brighter days certainly ahead."
It was not the first time Ms O'Neill had to self-isolate during the pandemic.
Last October, she self-isolated after learning a relative had tested positive for the virus.
