PRIMARY school children in Wales will return to class after the February half term if coronavirus cases continue to drop, the First Minister has said.

The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, will however confirm later today (Friday) that alert level four lockdown restrictions will remain in place in Wales for the next three weeks.

In a statement released this morning, Mr Drakeford says that while the situation in Wales is improving, lockdown restrictions must continue for another three weeks to allow the NHS to recover.

Later today he will confirm that the youngest learners in primary school could begin returning to school after the February half term, if rates of coronavirus continue to fall.

The statement from Mr Drakeford does not mention any plans for secondary schools or colleges however.

The Welsh Government says it will work with schools and education partners on a phased and flexible return to school after Monday, 22 February, if the public health situation continues to improve.

Rates of coronavirus across Wales have fallen below 200 cases per 100,000 people for the first time since early November, with Thursday’s figures showing the rate of infection across Wales being 190 cases per 100,000 population.

The Welsh Government also says that the latest figures show almost 11 per cent of the population have been vaccinated.