Churches in Northern Ireland are to be allowed to stay open for individual prayer during the two-week coronavirus lockdown.

The editor of the Irish Catholic, Michael Kelly said the concession is welcome, but the ban on public worship should not be happening and the Executive “should never have caused such distress and anxiety by creating doubt about whether churches could remain open for private prayer or not.”

Stormont ministers met on Tuesday morning and agreed the clarification to the regulations.

It followed calls by Church leaders across the North for the change.

The Executive had initially agreed that places of worship should close for all but weddings, civil partnerships and funerals from Friday until 11 December.

They will also be allowed to carry out drive-in services.