Students and staff at schools in Penarth and across Wales will no longer have to wear face masks from May 9.

The First Minister confirmed this in a press conference today (May 3) and has announced the remaining coronavirus restrictions will be removed on the same day.

Since September 2021, schools have followed measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 according to local circumstances, based on the Local COVID-19 infection control decision framework for schools.

But schools will no longer be advised to use the framework. Welsh Government has sent letters to schools to inform them of the changes.

This will follow the same guidance given to businesses and other workplaces.

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: "In line with the wider public health guidance published at the last three-week review, we have today written to headteachers to signpost the impending changes to our advice for schools, which reflect the move from pandemic to endemic. This will ensure school guidance is more closely aligned with the rest of society.

"We all know that Covid-19 has not gone away. It remains vitally important we reduce the spread of the virus where we can – this includes, for example, following self-isolation guidance, and for education settings to continue to undertake robust risk assessments."

Schools will continue to be advised to work with local authorities and public health advisors.

A checklist will also be provided to support schools in considering which control measures remain proportionate.

Special schools will continue to follow the advice for children and young people with higher clinical risk and clinically extremely vulnerable adults.