AS FEARS grow over the new variant of coronavirus, teachers, pupils and parents have been left facing an anxious wait to see if schools in Wales will reopen. 

On Sunday, First Minister Mark Drakeford defended the decision to reopen schools on a phased basis from Monday (January 4) amid calls from leading Welsh teachers' unions to keep them closed

Some schools are due to return next week, but most are to reopen on January 18.

The uncertainty has left many parents pondering over whether to send their child back to school or not, at the risk of being fined. 

But will they?

The Welsh Government's guidelines state that parents concerned about their child returning to school should contact their local authority to discuss the matter. 

However, if a child doesn't return to school the Welsh Government says that it "would not be appropriate" for a local authority or school to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) under "current circumstances".

The Welsh Government says it will monitor the situation and continue to review its position.