NI lockdown: Dates set for school return for some, click-and-collect to be allowed

The PA news agency understands the Stormont Executive has decided to keep the current restrictions in place until April 1. They had been due to lapse on March 5.

Primary school pupils in year groups P1 to P3 will return to face-to-face learning on March 8.

Only vulnerable children and those of key workers have been in classrooms since January.

On March 22, secondary pupils in key exam years – year groups 12 to 14 – will return to school.

It is understood P1-P3 pupils will revert to remote learning for a week on that date – for the week prior to the Easter holidays – to minimise the impact on infection rates of years 12-14 returning.

No decisions have been taken on whether other year groups will return to class after the Easter holidays.

At Thursday’s Executive meeting, 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.

The decision to extend the main lockdown restrictions to April 1 will be subject to a review on March 18.

Ministers are expected to formally confirm the decisions at a press conference later on Thursday.

Since Christmas, people in Northern Ireland have only been able to leave home for essential purposes such as work or exercise.