CHILDREN up to the age of seven will return to the classroom after the half-term break, Wales’ Education Minister has confirmed.

Kirsty Williams MS confirmed this afternoon that pupils aged three to seven - from nursery class to Year 2 - will start returning to in-person lessons in a "phased way" from 22 February onwards.

She also confirmed that teachers will get coronavirus tests twice a week to ensure that schools can start to return safely.

Giving a press conference this lunchtime, Ms Williams said that it was not yet safe enough for a full return to school for every learner and urged people to continue to observe lockdown rules outside of school.

She said: “I must make a plea to all learners, parents and carers, please continue to follow the guidelines.

"By following the guidance restricting contact with others, we are ensuring children and young people are able to do what we all want, which is to be back learning with their friends."

Wales’ deputy chief medical officer Dr Chris Jones reiterated that children were not at risk from the virus - only from the control measures the government was bringing in to keep everyone else safe.

Ms Williams added the possible return of othe