All students studying at universities in Wales will be able to return to campus from April 12, the country’s education minister has said.

Kirsty Williams told a press conference in Cardiff: “From April 12, it is our expectation that all students can return for blended learning for the duration of the summer term.

“Universities have planned for more teaching and learning to continue in the summer term than is usually normal in the academic cycle.”

Students will be offered coronavirus tests before returning to university, with twice-weekly lateral flow testing available for all students and staff who cannot regularly work from home.

Ms Williams added: “I am so very grateful to students for maintaining high levels of compliance in difficult circumstances.

“No other generation has been asked to endure such a different university experience.”

Meanwhile, the incidence rate for coronavirus in Wales has fallen from a peak of more than 600 cases per 100,000 people in December to around 40 cases per 100,000 people.

Dr Chris Jones, deputy chief medical officer for Wales, described the fall as “really encouraging” particularly given the presence of the new variant.

More than 1.1 million people in Wales have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with more than 264,000 people having their second dose.

“This means that over 35% of Wales’ population have had their first dose vaccination and nearly 10% are fully protected after two doses,” Dr Jones told a press conference in Cardiff.

“We’re still on track to reach the next milestone of offering vaccination to everyone in priority groups five to nine by mid-April, providing vaccine supplies remain on course.”