Welsh schools target return

WALES hopes to “take advantage” of its lower infection rate to get pupils back in the classroom ahead of the rest of Britain.

First Minister Mark Drakeford believes that a phased return – starting with primary age children – could begin “straight after half-term” if Covid cases continue to drop off.

Wales has a rate of 170 cases per 100,000 people – down from 270 per 100,000 last Friday – while the country’s R number is estimated to be around 0.7.That means the virus is on the decline.

Mr Drakeford said: “If infections continue to fall, we want children to be able to return to school after half-term from February 22, starting with the youngest children.”