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Northern Ireland extends COVID-19 lockdown to March 5

A man wearing a protective face mask walks past a mural supporting staff of the National Health Service (NHS) amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Belfast

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The British region of Northern Ireland on Thursday extended its COVID-19 lockdown for an additional four weeks to March 5 and its deputy first minister said the measures might have to be extended again.

Northern Ireland introduced a six-week lockdown on Dec. 26, closing schools, non-essential shops, bars and restaurants.

"It's an additional four weeks and there may well be something beyond that," Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill told a press briefing.

O'Neill said the measures would be reviewed on Feb. 18 and it was possible they would be extended until Easter, which falls in early April.

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Gareth Jones)