| Dear reader, The bitter row over Northern Ireland’s schools reached new levels on Monday as the Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed again that pupils will return to the classroom from January 4. However, the minister also said that remote learning would take place for selected year groups in post primary schools from January 24 until after half term. The minister’s decision was greeted with criticism by the SDLP, Sinn Fein and Alliance, and by some unions. On a day of more downbeat news about the pandemic, experts warned that measures like face masks and social distancing will have to continue in the UK until about half of the population has been vaccinated. The news comes as another 555 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Northern Ireland over the last 24 hours. Another seven people with Covid-19 have died in the Province. Earlier in the day, it emerged that Christmas bubble arrangements in Northern Ireland should apply to Christmas Day only, and not five days as originally planned. Alistair Bushe, Editor * Thanks for your support for our journalism this year. If you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month.
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