| | Good afternoon everyone
It's been another dramatic news day, as education minister Peter Weir confirmed that schools in Northern Ireland will not be returning at all in June.
The minister did say that certain groups could return in August, but he also explained that there would be a 'phased return' in September, with pupils combining remote learning with some attendance at school.
Another crucial issue was discussed on Thursday, the possibility of Stormont lifting restrictions on people from different households meeting up indoors.
However, the Executive decided against lifting this restriction at present. This was among the issues covered in the live blog running through the day on the News Letter website. You can read the blog here
It was encouraging to read that EasyJet have confirmed plans to reopen flights out of Belfast International Airport from the middle of June. The routes included will be Belfast to Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Liverpool and Newcastle.
It is so important for Northern Ireland economically that those routes get up and running again as people start to travel again between here and the mainland.
Stay safe
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Today's latest news:
The Education Minister has confirmed that schools will not reopen during the current academic year - but has said that some pupils in 'key' years may return in August
Mr Weir also said there would be a phased return for the remainder of pupils during a meeting of a Stormont committee on Thursday.
Schools in Northern Ireland have been closed to all but the children of key workers since March during the coronavirus crisis.
The Minister said the reopening of schools would begin with "limited provision for key cohort years in August, followed by a phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September".
He told the committee: "Other than the provisions for children of key workers and vulnerable children already mentioned, there will be no overall reopening of schools during the remainder of this academic year.
The Equality Commission has sounded a warning that Protestant boys are more likely to be unfairly disadvantaged by missing school during the coronavirus crisis
The Commission has said there are a number of issues around education provision and assessment where action by the Department of Education and others in response to Covid-19 could serve to promote equality of opportunity and avoid the emergence or widening of inequalities.
Chief Commissioner Geraldine McGahey said: "The loss of a full term at school could have different impacts on different groups of children.
"Pre-schoolers will lose out on language, learning, social and behavioural benefits.
"Older children, losing a full term in the classroom, and possibly returning part-time, will also lose out, but in particular we are concerned about those already experiencing inequality – that is, boys, pupils entitled to free school meals, particularly Protestants and within that, particularly Protestant boys.
Car parks at country parks are set to reopen next Wednesday as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced that DAERA-owned forests and country parks are currently being prepared to gradually lift restrictions.
The DAERA estate has been restricted to the public since late March in an effort to slow down the spread of Covid-19.
The minister said he has been working with a range of providers of informal outdoor recreation sites throughout Northern Ireland such as parks, nature reserves, walking routes and associated facilities, to prepare for their reopening.
He added: "Our estate has been restricted to the public since late March in an effort to slow down the spread of Covid-19, but I am very aware of how much people have missed our outdoor spaces and doing the things they love like walking, cycling and running – the things that are good for our hearts and good for our minds.
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