The extension will force at home learning to remain in place until at least the February half term.
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First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed that unless a significant drop in infection rates could be seen before January 29 –the date in which the next three-week review of the regulations is carries out– then students would continue their studies from home.
Further restrictions will be implemented in order to halt the spread of the new super-contagious strain of coronavirus which has made its presence known all throughout he UK. The new safety measures could see supermarkets and offices increase their efforts to make their space much more secure:
The coronavirus pandemic has reached a significant point. Cases in Wales remain very high and our NHS is under real and sustained pressure. The alert Level 4 restrictions we introduced before Christmas must remain in place to keep us all safe.
Latest numbers since the beginning of the pandemic
Public Health Wales recorded more than 1,700 new cases of infection in Wales for a total number of confirmed cases rising to 163,234 since the beginning of the pandemic. Further, the virus has claimed the lives of 3,801 people in Wales.
For this reason, Mr Drakeford is imploring all to respect the measures put into place to secure triumph over the virus:
To slow the spread of the virus, we all must stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. These feel like dark times but the new Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out across Wales, giving us a path out of this pandemic.
He also said:
It will take a huge effort to vaccinate everyone and, despite the end of this pandemic being in sight, it is more important than ever that we follow the rules and stay at home. We have made so many sacrifices together and we mustn't stop now.
