The First Minister has given an update on children wearing masks in schools after it was confirmed that Wales is on track to move to alert level zero by January 28.
Mask-wearing rules for pupils in English schools were scrapped this week but Mark Drakeford said that children in Wales would have to wear them until at least the February half-term.
The First Minister said he had attended a meeting of education officials and union leaders in Wales on Thursday and there was agreement across the board that face coverings should be kept for now.
In England head teachers are reportedly defying the UK Government over face masks in the classroom as dozens insist they will remain in place. The Daily Telegraph reported that more than 100 schools have already written to parents to say that children must continue wearing masks in lessons despite the Prime Minister’s announcement that the measure is no longer necessary.
England's education secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted on Thursday that “all schools” should banish face masks so that children can “enjoy a normal experience” in the classroom.
But Mr Drakeford told WalesOnline: "We don't see a change in the rules on face coverings in schools changing before the February half-term but it is something that is constantly under review.
"We met with local education representatives and unions and the topic was debated and everyone felt if was safer for pupils and staff to continue having that level of protection."
He admitted that the start of the school term after Christmas had been "easier than expected" but said ministers are monitoring a rise in the number of primary school children testing positive for Covid-19.
"It is something that we are keeping a close eye on," he said. "There are preliminary signs of a slight rise but no-one will be surprised that there has been an uptake since children returned to the classroom."
The phased plan to gradually relax the alert level two measures and move back to alert level zero by the end of January is on track.
The self-isolation rules for everyone who tests positive for Covid and the face-covering rules, which apply in most public indoor places, will remain in force after January 28.
Mr Drakeford said that the rules around face coverings would be reviewed on February 10 and an announcement on whether the self-isolation time would be reduced from seven days to five would be made early next week.
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