Cabinet has approved the reopening of the country in three stages.

Ministers are this afternoon signing off on the plan for easing restrictions over the Christmas season.

The reopening will take place in three stages of the course of December.

It is expected that shops, hairdressers, barbers, cinemas, theatres and gyms will get the green light to reopen from Tuesday, December 1st.

Cabinet has approved then the re-opening of restaurants and gastropubs from next Friday (December 4th), with the meeting discussing changes to the rules around dining indoors.

The amount of time people are allowed to spend in any establishment is likely to be reduced alongside the amount of people permitted at a table.

Hotels can open to guests on Tuesday, but if you're not a guest and want to eat at the restaurant of that hotel it will be Friday

Pubs that don’t serve food are likely to be ordered to stay closed for the rest of the year.

While people will be allowed to travel within their county from next week, inter-county travel will remain restricted.

However, the third stage will allow people to travel outside their county and visit other people's homes - and that's likely to start on December 18th and continue until January 6th.

The Government advice this evening will say there should be no hugs or handshakes with people you invite over for Christmas.

People will also be advised to wear a face mask when cooking and serving Christmas dinner.

Ministers are meeting this afternoon to finalise the details - with a full announcement expected around 6pm.

Reporting from Sean Defoe