Schools and nurseries will remain closed from tomorrow due to rising Covid-19 cases.

Government said that hub schools, nurseries and childminders remain shut from Monday, after a Council of Ministers meeting today determined a firebreak closure would still be in place.

This is to stop the spread of coronavirus, in particular amongst young people and children.

There will be a follow up announcement this afternoon, detailing a new provision that will be put in place for those workers whose roles are critical to the protection of life and national infrastructure.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, said: ’We wanted to provide as much notice to the public as possible of our decision not to re-open to the schools on Monday. We are still working through the detail, but we will be putting in place a service for essential workers, whose roles are critical to the protection of life or infrastructure, which we will have in place for Tuesday.’

Minister for Education Sport and Culture, Dr Alex Allinson MHK, said: ’This new school provision should only be used if your children cannot be at home, as we know that home is the safest place for our children during this time.

’The Council of Ministers will continue working on the detail of this today, to ensure that our schools will remain a safe place for those that need to use them.’

For essential workers only, other family members can provide childcare and children of separated households are able to travel between parents’ homes for the provision of childcare.

Government ask that children from different households do not mix wherever possible.