Northern Ireland's First Minister is hoping that restrictions around face coverings can be removed in the coming weeks.
Paul Givan was speaking to Belfast Live after Thursday's Executive meeting where it was announced that a number of restrictions would ease.
When the Executive meet again on February 10, Mr Givan said he would like to see the removal of restrictions around face coverings.
The requirement to provide proof of exemption has been removed from today, with the reasonable excuse of 'severe distress' being reintroduced, but the First Minister argues this doesn't go far enough.
He said: "I don't want the legal requirement for people to wear face masks in settings where they're currently provided to be continuing. It shouldn't be the new normal, it's not normal for people to have to cover their face and mouth. I would hope we can make progress on that issue at the meeting on February 10."
Paul Givan also added that he would like to see Stormont moving away from the use of the emergency provision many coronavirus restrictions have been brought in under.
Mr Givan added: "These regulations were brought in through emergency legislative provision, not subject to the normal scrutiny legislation should be. The Assembly were voting on these things retrospectively, and on many occasions regulations were in effect before MLAs were getting the opportunity to even be able to cast their vote.
"That's not a democracy and no parliamentarian should ever accept that as being normal. I think the justification for the use of emergency provision is one that isn't there any longer, and we need to remove that, and I hope we could move to make progress towards that in the near future."
However, the First Minister also said that "people have a right to be more optimistic" as restrictions begin to ease further in Northern Ireland.
He continued: "I'm hopeful we're getting to a much better place in how we're managing this. I would like to make more progress in the weeks ahead."
From noon on January 21, changes to restrictions in hospitality and in home settings will come into place.
Ministers have also agreed that the minimum self-isolation period will now be five full days, subject to negative lateral flow tests on days five and six of isolation.
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has welcomed the easing of a number of coronavirus restrictions, and said "cautious optimism" is the best approach to deal with the current phase of the pandemic.
Mr Swann said: “This is certainly not the time to throw caution to the wind. That would increase case numbers again, intensify pressures on the health service and set us back significantly in the progress we have been making.
“Cautious optimism will serve us best as we look towards a better future. There are still major uncertainties with this pandemic including the potential for a secondary peak in the coming days and weeks. We must stick to the approach that has produced dividends. That includes ongoing efforts to get more people boosted and vaccinated.”
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