After the four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed on Monday (January 4) that the UK is now at the highest level of risk, Joint Biosecurity Council level 5 - the Welsh Government, in consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru, has agreed that all schools, colleges and independent schools should move to online learning until January 18.

“The situation in Wales and across the UK remains very serious,” said Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education in Wales.

“As a government we will use the next two weeks to continue to work with local authorities, schools and colleges to plan for the rest of term.

“This is the best way to ensure that parents, staff and learners can be confident in the return to face to face learning, based on the latest evidence and information.”

Schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments. On this basis Special Schools and PRU’s should remain open if possible.

“We had initially given schools flexibility in the first two weeks of term to decide when to reopen based on local circumstances,” continued the Welsh Minister for Education.

“But it is now clear that a national approach of online learning for the first fortnight of term is the best way forward.

“We know that schools and colleges have been safe and secure environments throughout the pandemic.

“However, we also know that education settings being open can contribute to wider social mixing outside the school and college environment.

“We are confident that schools and colleges have online learning provision in place for this immediate period.

“Universities in Wales have already agreed a staggered start to term. Students should not return to universities for face to face learning until they are notified that they can do so.

“Wales remains in the highest level of restrictions. Everyone must stay at home,” she added.Responding to the statement last night by Education Minister Kirsty Williams regarding the re-opening of schools, Pembrokeshire County Council Director for Education Steven Richards-Downes, said: “Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes the announcement from the Minister for Education. “Pembrokeshire Schools will now provide online and distance learning until January 18. “All schools will provide childcare for vulnerable children and those of key workers until that date. Schools will let parents know their own arrangements for this. “If further changes are necessary we will of course communicate those to parents and carers as soon as possible. “Parents and carers are reminded of the message from the Minister for Education in her statement that everyone must stay at home to do their part to help slow the spread of the virus.”