When are schools reopening in Wales? How Welsh schools will return after lockdown from 22 February

People in Wales have been living under level 4 restrictions since 20 December, meaning they are only permitted to leave home for essential reasons.

As a consequence, the country now has the lowest Covid infection rate in the UK, with fewer than 100 cases per 100,00 people over a seven-day period.

Wales was also the first country to vaccinate the top four priority groups.

But what does this mean for Welsh schools and when will they finally open?

Here’s everything you need to know.

When will schools open in Wales?

On 5 February, Minister for Education Kirsty Williams announced that schools would begin a phased return from 22 February, beginning with the youngest learners.

Small numbers of vocational learners, including apprenticeships, will also be able to return to colleges.

Children of critical workers and vulnerable learners will continue to receive face-to-face learning on the school site, and special schools and PRUs will continue to remain open where possible.

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When is the Wales lockdown review? Date and time of Mark Drakeford’s Covid announcement, and what to expect

The Welsh Government says it will continue to work with trade unions and local authorities to consider whether there is a possibility of phasing in further age groups, based on the latest scientific advice.

Why are schools in Wales opening sooner than schools elsewhere in the UK?

Speaking on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday last weekend, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford was asked whether he was concerned about a possible rise in the R number following the planned reopening of schools.

He said: “Well, we’re able to do this because we went into a national lockdown here in Wales before Christmas and the impact of that is now being felt very significantly.

“When we went into a national lockdown, the numbers in Wales of people per 100,000 contracting coronavirus was over 650; it’s under 100 in Wales today.”

He added: “Positivity rates are falling, the number of people in hospital with coronavirus is falling. That is what has created a small amount of headroom for us to bring the very youngest children back into school from the 22 February.”

Mr Drakeford said that reopening schools would be monitored very carefully, describing the decision to do so as “tentative first steps”.

He added that if cases began to rise again, however, the Welsh government could reverse the decision to keep schools open, however.

When will older learners return to schools?

Specific dates are currently unknown, although a phased return to schools is expected to commence.

More information, including exact dates, is expected to be announced at Mr Drakeford’s next lockdown review.

When is Wales’ next lockdown review?

Wales’ next lockdown review will be held on Thursday 18 February, with an announcement on any rule changes expected to follow on Friday 19 February.

Restrictions were last reviewed at the end of January, but only very minor changes were made.