By 
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Tyrone, and across the North, are returning to their classrooms today (Monday) after their extended two-week break for Halloween, which was part of the NI Executive’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
On Thursday, Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed schools would reopen with extra safety measures being put in place, including the mandatory wearing of face coverings for post-primary pupils on school transport.
Exemptions will apply for children with special educational needs or other relevant disabilities.
The First Minister said that, at the halfway stage of the month of tighter measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, there were “green shoots of hope”.
But Mrs Foster warned, “Whilst rates of transmission are low in school, it is the activity and mingling outside of school, for example at school gates, that is of particular concern.”
Defending the decision to reopen the schools, Education Minister, Peter Weir, said, “It is important that… the life chances of our children are actually protected by ensuring that children are back in school.”
Mr Weir has asked parents and carers to ensure their children have face coverings with them at all times and have a bag to store them safely when not in use.
He said, “Encourage your child to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene as far as possible and advise them not to eat or share food on transport.
“Parents and carers can also play their part by taking some simple steps such as not congregating outside schools gates when they are dropping children off, limit your contact with others, always wear a face covering and ensure you are practising social distancing.”
Meanwhile, the Education Authority (EA) has delivered over 850,000 face masks to schools across the North for pupils who avail of home to school transport.