Stricter lockdown rules expected from NI Executive + transfer tests cancelled

A Portadown pensioner, whose daughter had campaigned to be a Care Partner for her mummy in a care home, has died of COVID-19.

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Subscribe              Jan 5, 2021           Good evening,   Welcome to today's round-up of coronavirus news from the News Letter team.   Post-primary transfer tests were cancelled today amid the ongoing surge in Northern Ireland's coronavirus infection rates.   The decision - announced just four days before thousands of children were due to sit the first exam on Saturday - has led to anger, uncertainty and frustration in households across the Province.   The NI Executive, meanwhile, was due to meet this afternoon to discuss stricter lockdown rules.     It comes as another 18 Covid-related deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland along with a further new 1,385 infections in the past 24 hours. This means that an alarming number of people - 12,487 - have tested positive in the last seven days.   Stay safe.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.   * Why not start off the New Year with a digital subscription to have unlimited access to the work of our top journalists, thought-provoking columnists and exclusive content from as little as £1 a month? Check out your subscription options here.       Or you can gift a whole year of our online content to a loved one here           Mum dies holding campaigning daughter's hand after COVID-19 battle           A Portadown pensioner, whose daughter had campaigned to be a Care Partner for her mummy in a care home, has died of COVID-19.                 Closing NI schools a 'disaster' for children – principal   Closing schools is a "disaster" for children, a Co Down principal has warned.           Irish Premiership games set to be postponed as two squads self-isolate   Larne's derby clash with Carrick Rangers and Ballymena United's encounter with Coleraine scheduled for this Saturday are set to be called off in line with the NI Football League's Covid-19 policy.           FULL statement released by NI Executive after last nights emergency meeting on Coronavirus regulations   This is the FULL statement issued last night following the emergency Executive meeting to discuss Covid-19:           Practical advice for coping with a January lockdown - according to a psychologist   January, often wet, always dark and cold, is a hard month to get through in any year - let alone during a pandemic.           NI retailers welcome new £4.6bn fund to help high street - but warn it may not be enough to save jobs   Northern Ireland retailers have urged the Executive to "work night and day" to distribute new business support grants worth £4.9bn announced by the Chancellor.           OPINION: The current Covid spike in Northern Ireland is troubling but these measures will also cause great harm   News Letter editorial of December 5 2021:           Tips for securing an online delivery slot when supermarket websites are busy   Many people have turned to online food shopping during the coronavirus pandemic, opting to switch to a home delivery or click and collect service for their weekly groceries, rather than visiting the shops in person.                 View more news

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