OPINIONS have been divided over whether schools should be closed whilst Wales fights against the spread of coronavirus.

As of 6pm on October 23, Wales entered a ‘fire-break’ lockdown, which means residents must stay at home.

This covers the half-term period, but when schools go back on November 2, there will be some changes.

Local primary and special schools will re-open as normal for the second half of the new restrictions.

Secondary schools will re-open after the half-term for children in years seven and eight, those taking exams and their most vulnerable children. Otherwise, pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week.

Childcare facilities will also remain open.

Leader Readers have expressed concerns over schools reopening after the half-term.

Emily Celestine Gresham said: “Nearly all schools that have reopened have been impacted by Covid 19. There are only about 15 left unaffected. Doesn't that in itself tell you it's absolutely crazy to keep them open during a lockdown. It makes having a lockdown seem pointless.”

Ruth Eleanor said: “I totally understand they need to be open due to the mental health and learning but the amount of children/teens not 2ms apart or wearing masks will just carry on spreading from household to household. Why can they all do that, and I can't go at a social distance and see my parents. I've seen them twice in this whole year.”

Mandy Jones added: “I think they should all be closed. Young kids are just carriers to adults. I do think it will just all fire up again as soon as the lockdown finishes though. It’s not going away until there's a cure.”

Angela Iacurti said: “The schools should have closed along with everything else. Most schools now have cases, they need the break to start afresh. I’m in childcare, I’m happy to work through it with the children I have. It’s the schools where the problems start.”

However, some readers said that schools should remain open as children have already lost out on months’ worth of vital education.

Katie Weaver said: “In my opinion I'm glad the schools are remaining open, children’s education has suffered enough. And the spread between children is different. Never mind the headache it would have caused both myself and husband who are key workers and need to continue to go to work to do our bit to keep things rolling and the world does not stop for anyone.”

Jen O'Brien said: “Children need to be in school as normal we all need as much normality as possible, but they thrive on routine and structure, it is in my opinion the right decision.”

Anne Parsons added: “Schools need to stay open, the negative effect of earlier this year could still have a lasting effect. My son is settled and happy and he was not when his routine and his friends were gone. The school has done an amazing job of creating classroom only bubbles. The riskiest part is getting past the other parents to get them in. Kids understand the rules and follow them, it is adults that are consistently showing they have no regard.”

Nicola Gaffey-Blackwell said: “I’m glad they’re staying open. Not just for my own kids but for all the children and families I care for as a CAMHS psychotherapist. I think it’s right that adults sacrifice the pub or going to the gym to give our kids the structure, routine and normality they need to feel safer and more secure in school. Our cases of self-harming, suicide attempts and eating disorders have gone through the roof since they were closed during the first lockdown.”