91Èȱ¬

Primary schools for children aged eight and over could reopen fully in Wales by 15 March - if Covid cases in the country continue to fall.

Children aged between three and seven - those in the foundation phase - are returning to school from Monday.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford announced his plans for easing Wales out of lockdown and getting more children back to school.

He hopes this will be the last three weeks of the "stay-at-home" rules but any lockdown change depends on case rates falling.

The Welsh Government said that people still need to stick to current restrictions to ensure a safe return to school.

The next review will look at all primary pupils, and some older students, returning to schools and colleges from 15 March.

That includes years 11 and 13, and students doing similar qualifications in college, returning in a "safe and flexible way", Education Minister Kirsty Williams said.

She added there could be some "flexibility" for years 12 and year 10, who have been entered for qualifications.

Mr Drakeford told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Wales: "If in three weeks' time the numbers are still falling, the positivity rate is falling, the R number's below one, hospital pressures continue to reduce, then I hope we'll be able to move beyond 'stay at home'."

He said it was "too uncertain" to say how far restrictions on movement might be eased, but he suggested a "stay local" arrangement, similar to local lockdowns which were imposed in the autumn, was a possibility.

Talks will begin with non-essential shops, such as hairdressers, about the prospects of reopening. But Mr Drakeford warned there would not be a "wholesale" reopening of shops.

The announcement is the latest review of the coronavirus lockdown imposed in Wales before Christmas.

Wales' decision on when schools can reopen is different to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This is because each country is in control of its own coronavirus restrictions.

In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will announce a plan for the easing of lockdown on 22 February.

This will include the dates schools can reopen to all children.

He has confirmed that any return to the schools won't happen until at least 8 March.

He has also promised schools would get a two-week warning to prepare for students going back so teachers and parents can get ready.

In Northern Ireland, schools remained closed to most students until at least 8 March. And the lockdown in Northern Ireland has been extended to 1 April.

Pupils in Scotland are starting a gradual return to school from Monday.