Schools in Gwynedd and Powys have announced they will not be reopening for in-class teaching as originally planned.

Schools in both counties were expecting pupils to return on Wednesday, but Powys County Council announced this afternoon that the majority of learners will not return until Monday, 11 January.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has also posted on her social media page this afternoon: “Following an urgent meeting of Gwynedd headteachers all schools in the county will move to distance learning from Tuesday until end of week at this stage.

“Awaiting further statement from Welsh Government.”

Scotland has today moved to keep all schools closed throughout January and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make a statement this evening on England’s plan.

Wales is currently in Alert Level 4 lockdown but schools are at the moment expecting pupils to return on 11 January in Ceredigion and other counties across the country.

Explaining the decision to postpone in-class teaching in Powys, Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet member for education, said: “Our intention was for our learners to return to school later this week following the Christmas holidays.

“However, we continue to be in the grip of this pandemic that continues to raise a number of challenges which we have to adjust and adapt accordingly.

"Things are moving rapidly across Wales and the UK, and we need to ensure that we are responsive so that our pupils, families and staff are as safe as we can make things.

“This decision has not been taken lightly but given the new coronavirus variant and that Wales is still in tier 4 restrictions, it is only right that we delay the return of all learners to schools.”