There's speculation the coronavirus lockdown in the UK could be extended until May at the earliest.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will chair the government's emergency Cobra meeting later.
Some ministers believe a decision on lifting the ban will not be taken until the Prime Minister returns to work.
That could be several weeks away as Boris Johnson's spent a third night in intensive care fighting the virus.
Leaders of the devolved nations will be involved in the discussions, but Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots says measures are still needed.
"If people think that it's ok to fill their car up and head off for the weekend, they'll be in for a shock.
"The police will be out on the roads, people will be asked what they're doing, and the law will be explained to them that it's entirely inappropriate."
