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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Coronavirus: Schools in Wales all closing by Friday | Coronavirus: Schools in Wales all closing by Friday |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| All schools in Wales will close by Friday at the latest in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Welsh Government has announced. | All schools in Wales will close by Friday at the latest in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Welsh Government has announced. |
| The country's Education Minister Kirsty Williams said she was bringing forward the Easter break. | The country's Education Minister Kirsty Williams said she was bringing forward the Easter break. |
| It comes as Scotland took similar steps with all schools and nurseries there closing from the end of the week and may not reopen before summer. | It comes as Scotland took similar steps with all schools and nurseries there closing from the end of the week and may not reopen before summer. |
| There are an estimated 200,000 cases of coronavirus across the globe. | There are an estimated 200,000 cases of coronavirus across the globe. |
| "Today's decision will help ensure an orderly closure, so schools have time to prepare," said Ms Williams. | "Today's decision will help ensure an orderly closure, so schools have time to prepare," said Ms Williams. |
| Childcare centres are expected to remain open until advice is given to close them, Ms Williams added. | Childcare centres are expected to remain open until advice is given to close them, Ms Williams added. |
| Headteachers body NAHT Cymru welcomed the announcement and said details of how schools can support vulnerable children and children of key workers were "yet to be finalised". | Headteachers body NAHT Cymru welcomed the announcement and said details of how schools can support vulnerable children and children of key workers were "yet to be finalised". |
| Eithne Hughes, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said it was "the right decision at the right time". | Eithne Hughes, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said it was "the right decision at the right time". |
| The announcement was made almost simultaneously with the Scottish Government's decision that schools are expected to shut by the end of the week. | The announcement was made almost simultaneously with the Scottish Government's decision that schools are expected to shut by the end of the week. |
| As well as action in Scotland and Wales, in Prime Minister's Questions Boris Johnson said a decision on schools in England will be taken "imminently". | As well as action in Scotland and Wales, in Prime Minister's Questions Boris Johnson said a decision on schools in England will be taken "imminently". |
| Ms Williams said from next week, schools would have a "new purpose". | Ms Williams said from next week, schools would have a "new purpose". |
| "They will help support those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak," she added. | "They will help support those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak," she added. |
| "I am working with my colleagues in the cabinet, with government officials and our partners in local government to develop and finalise these plans." | "I am working with my colleagues in the cabinet, with government officials and our partners in local government to develop and finalise these plans." |
| No announcement was made on exams, however Ms Williams said she would seek to clarify the situation "with urgency". | No announcement was made on exams, however Ms Williams said she would seek to clarify the situation "with urgency". |
| She said further details on exams would be made "shortly". | She said further details on exams would be made "shortly". |
| After the announcement, Ms Williams told the Senedd that it was not her expectation that every school would open and functional at the end of the Easter recess. | After the announcement, Ms Williams told the Senedd that it was not her expectation that every school would open and functional at the end of the Easter recess. |
| "Clearly we will be keeping that situation under constant review," she said. | "Clearly we will be keeping that situation under constant review," she said. |
| Plaid Cymru's education spokesperson Sian Gwenllian said further clarity was needed, alongside clear guidelines from the education minister on the short-term role of schools. | |
| She called for GCSE and A Level exams to be scrapped, postponed or adapted, with the aim of holding them in the autumn or coming to another arrangement. | She called for GCSE and A Level exams to be scrapped, postponed or adapted, with the aim of holding them in the autumn or coming to another arrangement. |
| EASY STEPS: How to keep safe | EASY STEPS: How to keep safe |