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CoronavirusDerry CityEducationHealthNews

Coronavirus: All North’s primary pupils return on Monday

written by cassoscoop March 16, 2021
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Primary 1 to Primary 3 pupils retured to school on Monday, March 8

THE Stormont Executive has agreed that primary school pupils in years P4 to P7 will return to class next Monday.

It has also approved a proposal to allow all other pupils in post-primary schools to return by Mondy, April 12 after the Easter holidays.

However, this is expected to be reviewed again at the end of March, in line with public health advice.

Ministers are meeting to formally assess the Coronavirus restrictions.

They were initially imposed on Boxing Day, December 26, in a bid to curb a rise in cases of Covid-19 across Northern Ireland.

There have been some adjustments to the rules but households are generally still not allowed to mix indoors, pubs, cafes and restaurants remain closed except for takeaway, and most shops are shut.

P1 to P3 pupils in the North of Ireland returned to the classroom last Monday, as did nursery and pre-school children.

Last week, the Executive last week ditched a previous plan for those pupils to go back to remote learning on 22 March when some secondary schoolchildren, year groups 12 to 14, are due to return to school.

Education Minister Peter Weir had been pushing for all remaining pupils to return as soon as possible.

Vulnerable children and children of key workers have had access to schools for supervised learning since January, and special schools remained open as usual.

Schools in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have all reopened on a wider basis.

The North of Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, said she was “pleased with a tinge of frustration” about the move.

She said that many primary school staff had been preparing for further remote learning, in the absence of clarity from the executive.

“But I am seeing how pleased parents are about pupils going back and it adds weight to the commitment the executive has given and that schools are a priority for them,” she added.

Meanwhile, staff in post-primary schools and pupils in years 12 to 14 are to get twice-weekly lateral flow tests from 22 March.

Education Minister Peter Weir said that after the Easter break the programme would expand to include all primary school staff.

It is also understands ministers are also discussing calls to allow up to 10 people from two households to meet for some outdoor activities, such as golf.

If the proposal is agreed, it could see the return of golf from 1 April, although golf clubhouses would remain closed.

There is also a plan to allow limited sports training for up to 15 people from 12 April, but this will need to be approved after Easter.

In retail, there are proposals to allow businesses to open up more click-and-collect services, which would mean greater flexibility for people who run garden centres and plant nurseries.

Ministers are also discussing testing international travellers who come into Northern Ireland from a so-called red list of about 40 countries.

It is understood that there is also a proposal to remove the stay-at-home order after Easter, although again this would be subject to review nearer the time.

That message came into place on 26 December and means people can only leave home with a “reasonable excuse” such as for medical or food needs, exercise and work that cannot be done from home.

Earlier this month, the executive published its plan for easing the lockdown in Northern Ireland.

Unlike plans announced in England and Scotland, the blueprint does not include a timetable.

But Stormont ministers pledged to review the regulations every month, with the first scheduled for 16 March.

Northern Ireland’s health officials have urged caution in easing lockdown, while stressing that the coronavirus statistics are going in the right direction.

Infection rates are down, there are fewer people in hospital, and while there have been days when the number of deaths has risen, the death rate remains relatively low.

Added to that is the ongoing rollout of the vaccination programme, with people aged 50 or over now being able to book an appointment.

Coronavirus: All North’s primary pupils return on Monday was last modified: March 16th, 2021 by cassoscoop

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Coronavirus: All North's primary pupils return on MondayDerry CityEDUCATION MINISTER PETER WEIRhospitality sectorNORTH OF IRELANDprimary school pupilsSTORMONT EXECUTIVE
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