'No plans' for autumn firebreak in Wales, Welsh Government minister confirms

There are no plans to introduce a firebreak in Wales in the coming weeks, despite the high case rates of coronavirus, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

There had been some speculation that a firebreak could be brought in to coincide with the October half-term break.

At a Welsh Government press conference, education minister Jeremy Miles MS responded to a question from ITV Wales correspondent Carole Green, who asked: "Given the rates, is there a need for an autumn firebreak or can you rule that out today?"

"There are no plans for a firebreak," the minister replied.

"The First Minister will be giving the overall picture, of course, on Friday as a consequence of this review period - but there are no plans for a firebreak."

Mr Miles was speaking at the press conference alongside deputy chief medical officer Dr Chris Jones.

"In terms of the transmission rates generally, obviously we've seen the picture that we've seen over the past few weeks.

"But we've heard today from [Dr Chris Jones] where those figures are, and I'm very hopeful that we will see a pattern emerging which is much more positive in the coming weeks."

Cases of coronavirus remain high in the community at around 530 cases per 100,000 people.

This is a fall compared to two weeks ago, when there were around 650 cases per 100,000 - but case rates remain high, the minister said.

Meanwhile, secondary school and college pupils in Wales will be advised to take daily lateral flow tests for seven days if someone in their household tests positive for coronavirus, the Welsh Government has announced.

Mr Miles said he was determined to "minimise disruption to education and childcare".

He said the changes would apply from next Monday and would provide "further reassurance" to students they were not infectious.

A number of other measures were also announced.

What changes were announced today?

• Self-isolation for under-18s

Currently, under-18s do not need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

Now, students in secondary school or college who are a household contact will be advised to take daily lateral flow tests for seven days. This will be in addition to the current advice for all close contacts to take a PCR test on day two and day eight.

Staff and secondary, college and university learners will also be encouraged to continue with the twice-weekly lateral flow testing until at least half term.

The minister said he wanted to "provide further confidence" after some "anxiety" over the existing arrangements.

• Testing for special schools and colleges

Staff who are identified as a close contact will require a negative PCR test before they return to the workplace, followed by daily lateral flow testing for 10 days.

This means staff will operate in a testing regime similar to health and social care settings.

The minister said this is "in recognition of the specific challenges special schools and colleges face".

• Testing for under-fives

The Welsh Government will no longer recommend that children under five take Covid-19 tests if they are without symptoms.

The minister added: "If they have symptoms, we would not routinely recommend tests, unless they are asked to do so by a doctor or if their parent or carer believes a test is absolutely necessary and in the best interests of the child."

Cases among the under-fives remain low and experts have advised that there is limited benefit in widespread testing of this age group, he added.