NORTHERN Ireland has extended its lockdown until Easter, confirming it will take a staggered approach to reopening schools.
The Stormont executive today agreed to prolong the country's current lockdown to April 1, with a review of the measures booked in for March 18.
? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
It comes as Boris Johnson prepares his "Roadmap to Recovery" set to be revealed in England on Monday.
The PM is expected to send kids back to class from March 8 – a move confirmed in Northern Ireland today.
Primary school pupils in year groups P1 to P3 are set to return to classes in Northern Ireland on March 8, it was revealed.
Meanwhile, secondary school pupils in key exam years – year groups 12 to 14 – will return to face-to-face learning on March 22.
Northern Ireland's decision to extend its main lockdown restrictions to April 1 will be subject to a review on March 18.
At an executive meeting held on Thursday, ministers also agreed to make relaxations to allow "click and collect" shopping from some outlets previously categorised as non-essential retailers.
From March 8, click and collect will be permitted for shops selling baby equipment, clothing and footwear, and electrical goods.
Current restrictions were imposed in the country on Boxing Day to manage the spread of Covid-19, with ministers promising frequent reviews.
Health officials have said they want to avoid a possible rise in cases around St Patrick's Day and in the run-up to Easter, the BBC reports.
The first minister and finance minister are due to provide more detail at a press conference later this afternoon.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson will be handed a dossier of data to help him decide the speed of his roadmap out of lockdown.
The PM will use the numbers to shape his official plan to ease lockdown, to be published on Monday.
Mr Johnson yesterday vowed to be driven by data not dates in his “cautious and prudent” lifting of Covid restrictions, starting on March 8 with reopening schools.
But The Sun understands the document will also mention other specific dates as the earliest possible opportunity for shops and pubs to reopen if cases continue to fall and vaccinations lead to a decline in deaths.
Source: Read Full Article
