Face masks will no longer be required in schools in Wales from Monday.
Education Secretary Jeremy Miles said it will ensure schools are “more closely aligned with the rest of society”.
Previously, face coverings were required to be worn by school staff and secondary school students when moving around buildings and public areas.
But as with businesses and other organizations, this requirement will now be a guideline starting May 9th.
The Welsh Government said schools and other educational institutions are still advised to work with local authorities to ensure “reasonable and proportionate” measures remain in place.
Plaid Cymru said there are still students and staff who are “concerned” about the change.
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Since September 2021, schools have taken measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 according to local circumstances.
These measures included social distancing, regular later flow testing, and avoiding commingling by sticking to class bubbles.
It was based on a framework for schools, but they are no longer recommended to use it.
Face coverings were required in Welsh classrooms until the end of February each term.
Since then, individual schools and councils have been able to decide what restrictions are needed in classrooms.
For many children of primary school age, the first meeting together was “quite emotional”.
Rhian Lundrigan, senior school principal at the Rainbow Federation, which is made up of two primary schools in Llanrumney, Cardiff, said they had never had a gathering together before due to restrictions.
“We don’t do everything whole school yet,” she said, but after the Easter holidays, the year groups can now play together in the yard.
“Perhaps the biggest thing for the kids is that classroom staff aren’t wearing masks.
“It’s very difficult to read faces and emotions…so I think the kids really noticed that difference.”
At the beginning of the pandemic, teachers had to check toilets before students were let in to avoid mixing different classes.
Lily, 10, is glad those rules are gone.
“We can eat in the same dining room, we can show work to different teachers, we can go to the bathroom with other classes — that’s great,” she said.
Mason, 10, says being able to hang out with friends is “fun and better.”
His class just got back from their first trip home, where they stayed three nights and did “lots of fun activities.”
Ms Lundrigan added that although “it is time to ease these restrictions”, the situation will always be under review.
Mr Miles said: “In line with the broader public health guidance released at the last three-week review, we have written to school leaders today to indicate the forthcoming changes to our advice for schools transitioning from a pandemic to reflect an endemic disease.
“We all know that Covid-19 has not gone away.
“It remains vital that we reduce the spread of the virus wherever possible – this includes, for example, following self-isolation instructions and that educational institutions continue to conduct robust risk assessments.”
Plaid Cymru said it wanted the Welsh Government to “proceed with providing free lateral flow testing for educational institutions, support staff at high clinical risk, including those who are pregnant, to work from home and protect vulnerable staff by it offers minimal contact roles and FFP2/3 masks.”
It also called for better ventilation and air quality monitoring, including carbon dioxide monitors for every classroom.
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