BBC News Wales

BBCCopyright: BBC

Plaid Cymru's spokeswoman for post-16 education Helen Mary Jones has said the Christmas travel plan for students will be "welcome news" for them and their families after a difficult term.

The plan involves rapid asymptomatic testing kits for students to take just before they go home to catch any Covid cases from being taken back to students' home towns.

“Asymptomatic testing is key," Ms Jones said.

"It must be done efficiently, quickly and universally with all universities participating in the scheme to be successful."

However, she noted that it was "not yet clear" if all universities would be offering such tests.

“Support must also be given to those students who might not be able to go home for Christmas," Ms Jones added.

“However, Wales needs not just a clear plan for allowing students home for Christmas but also comprehensive guidance on their return to university in the New Year – including ensuring remote and blended learning to ensure their safety."

BBCCopyright: BBC

Student Covid testing should not just be done to enable them to go home for Christmas, a senior Welsh Conservative has said.

Suzy Davies, spokesperson on education, welcomed the announcement of the travel plan to get students safely home for the Christmas holidays laid out by Education Minister Kirsty Williams.

Ms Davies said she was pleased to see Wales follow a similar announcement for universities in England.

“Now that tests can clearly be made available at short notice and short turn around, this looks very promising for the new term," she said.

"Universities should be homing in on this to get more face-to-face learning back up and running, rather than relaxing into a position where everything is online.

“Fears about safety are a real threat to university finances if it means students don’t return.

"A wholly online experience is also a deterrent and raises questions about ‘value for money’, which Welsh Conservatives have raised before, and so testing should be for university life, not just for Christmas.”