Non-essential retail, hotels, restaurants, and close contact services will be able to open in Northern Ireland next Friday.
Some of the larger care homes in Northern Ireland may receive a vaccine later this month following the approval of the Pfzier vaccine.
Brexit talks are due to continue on Friday amid warnings the prospect of a breakthrough is "receding".
With soaring numbers of people in Northern Ireland now dependent on food banks, UTV has been hearing the raw reality from some of those caught in poverty.