Welsh Government lifts stay local rule

The stay local rule is to be lifted from Saturday, March 27, meaning people will be able to travel anywhere within Wales.

An interim all-Wales travel area will remain in place until April 12, subject to the public health situation, the Welsh Government has said.

For the next two weeks, only those with a reasonable excuse, such as work, will be able to travel into or out of Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.”

Self-contained holiday accommodation, including hotels with en-suite facilities and room service, will be able to reopen to people from the same household or support bubble.

Other rule changes include

• Six people from two different households, excluding children under 11, will be able to meet and exercise outdoors and in private gardens;
• Organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under 18s will be able to resume;
• There will be a limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens;
• Libraries and archives will be able to reopen.

The current restrictions on international travel for holidays will remain in place.

The Welsh Government said these are the final stages of the relaxations in this three-week review cycle.

Wales is moving out of alert level four, and now starting to move into level three. Welsh Ministers will consider further alert level three measures in the next review of the regulations.

The next review of the regulations will take place next week. Welsh Ministers will consider the following relaxations, which will come into effect from April 12, subject to the public health situation:

• All pupils and students can return to schools, colleges and other education;
• All shops and close contact services can open;
• The interim all-Wales travel area can be lifted.