Schools are to remain closed for an extended period as the Stormont executive agreed new measures this evening to tackle the spread of Covid-19.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said pupils will not be returning to classrooms on Monday January 11 as was originally intended.
It is understood plans will be formalised tomorrow.
There has been no announcement on transfer tests - due to begin this Saturday - but Ms O'Neill said recommendations on exams will be brought before the executive by the education minister tomorrow.
In addition to the restrictions already in place....Remote learning will be extended. Stay at home will be put in to regulation. Travel will be revisited. Education & Health Minister to bring detail of proposals to meeting of Exec tomorrow to include recommendations on exams
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) January 4, 2021
This evening First Minister Arlene Foster warned the north faces a "dire" situation as the pandemic worsens.
The north is in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which non-essential retail is closed, and people are urged to stay at home.
But, amid soaring numbers of coronavirus infections, ministers took part in an urgent meeting this evening, with Mrs Foster saying the Stormont Executive has "very difficult decisions to take".
The most recent plan was for primary pupils to be taught remotely for the week from January 4-8, while for secondary school Years 8 to 11, remote learning was due to last for the entire month.
Mrs Foster said: "The advice coming to us is that we will need to take action and that we'll need to take action very quickly."
She added: "I was very clear that I would like to keep schools open for as long as possible but if it is the case that we do need to close schools as we did in March of last year, I will deeply regret that, but we will of course take whatever action is needed based on the medical evidence in front of us."
Ms Foster also expressed disappointment at the number of gatherings, and said ministers will speak to police about enforcement.
She added: "Just today I was sent photographs of Portstewart and Portrush over the past couple of days and there were huge crowds gathering together and I really regret that."
Almost 100 house parties were broken up by police over the last week, despite strict rules against indoor gatherings.
The PSNI also issued 339 £200 fines for breaches of the coronavirus regulations.
Meanwhile, a pensioner who survived the Second World War Blitz expressed relief after receiving the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Everyone aged over 80 will be inoculated in Northern Ireland within a few short weeks, health officials said, in a "step change" in the race against time to deliver immunity.
West Belfast GP Michael McKenna administered the first coronavirus jabs, releasing older people from the "jail" sentence they have been under while shielding for the last nine months.
Afterwards, white-bearded John Grey (84) leaned on his walking stick and said: "I am relieved, let's say that."
Up to 11,000 people aged over 80 are set to receive the jab this week as the health service struggles with soaring number of hospital admissions.
Another 1,801 people have tested positive for Covid-19, the Department of Health said on Monday.
That makes 12,507 diagnoses over the last seven days.
Another 12 deaths have been reported.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said "urgent and decisive" action was required.
