The lockdown in Northern Ireland will continue for an extra four weeks, prompted by concerns of a potential rise in cases following St Patrick's Day (17 March).
Under the restrictions, preschool and primary school children up to P3 will return to classes on March 8, while remote learning will continue for older pupils.
Secondary school pupils in key exam years will be the next to return, with students in years 12-14 commencing face-to-face classes on March 22.
Pupils in P3 and below will then resume remote learning from March 22 to minimise chances of infection for students in key exam years.
Remote learning will continue for all other pupils until further details of the phased return are announced.
The First Minister, Arlene Phillips, announced on Jan 21 that lockdown measures were to be extended until Mar 5, with a further review of restrictions expected on Feb 18. However, ministers were advised that restrictions may remain in place throughout the Easter holidays.
Infection rates and COVID-19 hospital admissions have fallen during lockdown , but ministers are concerned about the dangers posed by new variants.
Northern Ireland's chief medical officer has urged all people who have been vaccinated against coronavirus to continue following public health measures.
Dr Michael McBride said those who have been inoculated, while protected themselves, may still be able to pass the virus on to others.
The warning came as Northern Ireland passed 438,000 jabs administered on Feb 16. The Department of Health has said that 94 per cent of over 80-year-olds have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine and 88 per cent of those aged 75 to 79.
However Dr McBride said difficult months still lie ahead: "It will be some many weeks before we see the vaccine doing the heavy lifting in terms of reducing the number of people requiring hospital care," he said.
"We really do need to stick with this, we need to continue to follow all of the public health advice, abide by the restrictions. We have a long way to go."
He said there is increasing evidence of the spread of new variants in Northern Ireland, with the more infectious Kent strain now thought to account for 50-60% of cases in the region.
Ministers echoed guidance from the UK Government, advising that restrictions will be eased in line with lessening pressures on the health service.
The 'Stay at Home' order became legally enforceable from Jan 8. People can only leave home with a "reasonable excuse" such as for medical or food shopping, exercise and work that cannot be done from home.
There was a slight relaxation of some measures on Jan 2, which saw changes to essential retail, exercise, and the hospitality industry. The 8 pm curfew was also lifted, meaning you can now shop in essential retail stores beyond 8 pm, and order takeaways up to 11 pm.
However, all close contact services and non-essential retail are not permitted to open their doors until Mar 5 according to current restrictions. All visitor attractions, gyms, and swimming pools will also remain closed.
Ministers did not make travel outside of the country illegal, but instead issued guidance advising against non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both Great Britain and the Irish Republic.
What are the new rules?
As of Jan 8, the rules are:
- Essential retail and hospitality services can now trade beyond the previous curfew hours of 8 pm. Delivery takeaway services are allowed until 11 pm.
- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must remain closed, with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
- Close contact services such as hairdressers and beauty salons must close
- Gyms must close, with personal exercise only permitted outside
- Churches can resume services, with weddings and funerals have a cap of 25 people
- Households are not allowed to mix indoors except for certain exceptions, including support bubbles, childcare and maintenance work
- Two households can gather in public spaces outdoors in groups of six, including children
- Indoor sports are banned except for professional athletes
- Leisure and entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks must close
- Overnight stays are banned unless it is with a member of your bubble
- Higher education institutions, such as universities must deliver distanced learning
- People should work from home unless unable to do so
On Jan 17, Stormont sources and hospitality bosses in Northern Ireland suggested that pubs will not open until the middle of April at the earliest. This comes from Ulster’s Chief of Hospitality, Colin Neill, who confessed it was not likely that pubs would be open “for St Patrick's Day”.
How are the restrictions enforced?
The police are able to take action against those who break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing £100 fixed penalty notices. For repeat offenders, these fines can increase up to £3,200.
People aged 18 or over can be fined:
£200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days, £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.
A new £800 fine has been implemented from Jan 25 for anybody who attends a gathering of more than 15 people. This fine, announced on Jan 21, will be doubled for each repeat offence.
Can I travel to Northern Ireland?
A new lockdown began in England on Jan 5, meaning travelling outside of the country is not allowed until at least mid-February.
The executive have also issued new guidance against all but essential travel between Northern Ireland, the UK and the Irish Republic.
People arriving in Northern Ireland should self-isolate for 10 days.
Hotels and other accommodation providers can operate on a restricted basis for those already resident, for work related purposes, for vulnerable people, those in emergency situations and people unable to return home.
