SCHOOLS will reopen after the extended Halloween holiday with extra safety measures in place.
With half the north's schools affected by Covid-19 cases already this term, there had been some calls for a longer lockdown.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the plan was always that children and staff would return on Monday.
Secondary pupils from age 11 and up must now wear face coverings on public transport and Education Authority buses.
Refreshed guidance will also issue shortly to address issues around gatherings at school gates.
There are concerns that some people are not social distancing nor wearing face masks while waiting outside school buildings.
Ms Foster said it was incumbent on the executive to prioritise education.
Northern Ireland is one of the only regions in Europe that has closed all its schools twice.
Education Minister Peter Weir and children's commissioner Koulla Yiasouma were among those who said children should go back after the half-term break.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools also warned that "all must be done to support the re-opening of schools in early November".
Children returned to classrooms full-time last month after prolonged closures during lockdown.
Already, hundreds of schools have been affected by fresh cases. Some have sent home full classes or entire year groups while others have closed.
Since the restart, there have been 2,030 confirmed cases, according to the Public Health Agency.
Almost half of all schools have had cases, including 167 of 193 post-primaries.
Mr Weir said the best, and safest, place for children at the moment was at school.
The benefits, in terms of their mental health, social development and education, were very significant, the minister said.
"We all can help reduce the spread of Covid-19. As schools prepare to re-open next week after the extended closure, I want to ask 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. 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," Mr Weir said.
"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."
The INTO union said the stress that school leaders were managing following positive cases in their schools was not sustainable.
"INTO would urgently call for a commitment by the minister of education to a review of safety in schools and a review of mitigating steps currently in place as well as a return to the original guidance as laid out in June," said northern secretary Gerry Murphy.
"The issue of mask wearing, the safety and practicality of a full return in all schools and an honest appraisal of the exams situation also need to be reviewed. Pupils and staff cannot continue in the uncertainty they are experiencing. INTO remains, as always, willing to assist the department, PHA and minister Weir in getting this right."
