PEMBROKESHIRE’S education chief has explained the decision to keep six North Pembrokeshire schools closed today (Tuesday, November 24).

The schools - which were also closed yesterday following the increased spread of coronavirus in Cardigan and the south Ceredigion area – are Ysgol y Preseli, Ysgol y Frenni, Ysgol Llandudoch, Ysgol Eglwyswrw, Ysgol Cilgerran and Ysgol Clydau.

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he Pembrokeshire schools are closed as a precaution as they share services – such as transport - with the Ceredigion schools.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s director of education, Steven Richards-Downes, said the decision to keep the schools closed was based around a series of meetings involving the authority, Ceredigion County Council and Public Health Wales.

He said: “Due to the sheer volume of contact tracing work the Cardigan situation has resulted in - and the widespread nature of the cases now across the town - many contacts remain to be spoken to.

“The view of the Incident Management Team in Pembrokeshire was to keep the schools closed to allow the contact tracing teams time to get hold of everyone they needed to and then review the decision later today.

“Everyone can be assured that it is our intention to re-open the schools at the earliest opportunity once we are satisfied that there will be no individuals within school setting who should be self-isolating.

“There will be an announcement this afternoon about the status of the schools currently closed and teaching staff will be in touch with families to arrange blended and distant learning.

“Officers are working hard dealing with this situation and we do appreciate the inconvenience caused. However, our priority has always been tackling this pandemic and ensuring that we stop the spread of the virus.”

Mr Richards-Downes added that he was grateful to teaching staff, parents and pupils for their co-operation in what had been a challenging few days.