Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed the Stormont Executive has agreed "several measured relaxations" to the coronavirus restrictions.
The DUP leader warned of a continuing need for caution against the virus, saying Covid is "still with us".
One more person who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has died, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.
Another 164 confirmed cases of the virus were also recorded in the last 24-hour reporting period.
The figures also show that 18 of the 176 coronavirus patients in hospital are being treated in intensive care.
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"These are better numbers than we have seen in recent times since the latest restrictions took effect on December 26," Ms Foster said.
"But these numbers still tell us that caution is important. We have seen how numbers can rise rapidly and we do not want to go back there."
Mrs Foster summarised the Executive's outlook as "cautious but optimistic".
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the first steps out of lockdown.
"Today's decisions are very positive and they represent a gradual and a safe way out of the restrictions," she said.
"It's a day of hope for young people, for families, for sports and indeed for businesses."
Referring to the Executive's Pathway Out Of Restrictions blueprint, which was published earlier this month without any dates, Mrs Foster said ministers will "work our way through the restrictions in a careful and managed way at each four-week review point".
"That is why we are not setting dates so that we can take our decisions against the prevailing health, economic and societal circumstances," she said
Ms Foster said ministers took into account the prevailing Covid situation before deciding that P4-P7 children should all return to school from 22 March.
Remaining pupils - Years 8-11 - will return to the classroom on 12 April.
Northern Ireland's latest lockdown has lasted for about 80 days and Ms Foster described the period as a "long time and a big ask".
She went on to detail to MLAs other relaxations which have been agreed by ministers to "improve the situation in a careful and sustainable way" from 12 April.
These include allowing ten people from two households to take part in outdoor sporting activities, up to six people from two households to meet outdoors, including garden centres and plant nurseries in the contactless "click and collect" scheme.
Outdoor sports training will be able to resume by sports clubs affiliated with recognised sports governing bodies, in small groups of up to 15 people, but with all indoor spaces closed, except essential toilet facilities.
Elite sports will be able to hold competitions, to allow two World Cup qualification matches scheduled for 25 and 31 March to take place as well as a friendly match between NI and the US on 28 March.
No spectators will be permitted at any sporting event.
These relaxations will be subject to Executive ratification in the week after the Easter weekend.
Turning to key dates approaching, including St Patrick's Day, Ms Foster said things must be different this year.
"Please continue to stay home. Do not socialise outside your family or your bubble, and we particularly want to say to young people that you need to follow the rules and the advice," she said.
Looking to Easter and Passover, Mrs Foster said that, along with Ms O'Neill, she met the leaders of the four main churches yesterday.
"We noted in our discussion the desire of the churches to work towards a return to in-person services in time for Easter and we acknowledge the risk involved and the mitigations required by the churches," she told MLAs.
