WALES is facing ‘a whole host of firsts’, says the country's education minister, as she announces her plan to get students back home for Christmas.

Speaking at the Welsh Government coronavirus press briefing in Cardiff today, Wednesday, Kirsty Williams tells the Leader that the devolved Government are having to “manage a whole series of firsts," when asked about her confidence in the new measures being brought in to help get students home for the festive period.

She said: "We've been able to agree a process across the UK. We believe we've come up with the best possible solution.

"We will reflect on that and any lesson learned will be incorporated into our thinking."

Ms Williams said in her press conference that she acknowledges being able to spend the Christmas holiday at home will be especially important to those who have been living away from home for university at this difficult time.

In the new measures outlined by the Brecon and Radnorshire MS, students would be required to:

• minimise their social contacts in the run up to the end of term;

• get an asymptomatic test, ideally within 24 hours of their intended travel time. New asymptomatic testing facilities will be available at participating universities in Wales within the next few weeks;

• plan to travel no later than December 9, allowing time to rearrange their travel plans in case they need to self-isolate;

• familiarise themselves with their university’s plans for concluding in-person teaching and arrangements to ensure people can exit campuses safely.

The Welsh Government has also said university students will be asked to undergo rapid coronavirus testing before returning home for Christmas.

Ms Williams says that universities are planning to end face-to-face teaching as soon as they possibly can – ideally around the week ending December 8, allowing time for students who test positive to isolate.

There will however be some exceptions, including medical students and trainee teachers on placements.

Speaking to wider community members about what they should do to help students be able to get home for Christmas, her resounding message to university towns (and Wales as a whole) would simply be to follow the Welsh Government rules.

She said: "I'm pleased to see a decrease in the rate of infection in the student population. I understand that it is really tough - we've all had a guts-full to be honest and we all want things to get back to normal.

"The most important thing is to stick with it when every inch of you wants to do something different.

"Surely that promise of hope for the future gives you the opportunity to double down."