Lockdown easing measures brought forward – with pubs, cafes and restaurants given indoor reopening date

Wales is set to fully move into Alert level 3 by Monday, May 3, after First Minister Mark Drakeford announced lockdown easing measures would be brought forward.

Mr Drakeford also indicated that pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen indoors from May 17.

Since December, Wales has been under Alert level 4 restrictions – the most severe set of measures.

A number of lockdown easing measures will be brought forward from May 17 to May 3 – providing the coronavirus situation remains calm.

These include:

• Indoor children’s activities;
• Organised indoor activities for up to 15 adults, such as exercise classes and swimming lessons;
• Reopening of community centres

Mr Drakeford said: “The sacrifices we have made continue to show results. By us all working together and sticking to the rules, combined with our vaccination programme, mean we continue to make progress.

“Rates of the virus continue to fall and the public health situation is improving.

“Due to these efforts we are able confirm more easing of the restrictions from 26 April and for early May we are again able to bring forward some of our plans. However, this progress is dependent on all of us continuing to work together to keep Wales safe.”

He added: “At the last three-week review, I set out a forward look of how the restrictions could continue to be lifted in the weeks ahead, if the public health situation remains stable.

“It will be for the incoming Welsh Government to confirm these arrangements at the next three-week review, which will be held on May 13 – a week after the election.

“It is my assessment that the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to open indoors from May 17, together with all other tourist accommodation, indoor entertainment and attractions.”

In response to the announcement, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said his party would “plan for the reopening of indoor hospitality, tourist accommodation, cinemas and other entertainment venues on May 17”.

He added: “To put businesses on the best possible footing, our first steps in office include providing start up grants for hospitality businesses.

“Additional financial support would also be backdated to April 26 for those businesses that cannot viably trade on the basis of outdoor opening alone.”

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies hit out at the Welsh Government, saying: “Labour’s inaction and refusal to bring forward a roadmap out of lockdown has caused uncertainty and confusion for many Welsh families, workers and businesses.” 

He accused Welsh Labour of using the three-week review “to influence May’s election”.

Lockdown easing roadmap

The Welsh Government has announced plans for the following measures to be eased on these particular dates, should the coronavirus situation remain stable.

Saturday, April 24

• Up to six people from up to six households can meet outdoors (number does not include children under the age of 11 and carers)

Monday, April 26

• Outdoor attractions, including outdoor swimming pools, funfairs and theme parks will be allowed to reopen
• Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to open outdoors
• Organised activity for up to 30 people can resume outdoors
• Wedding receptions can continue outdoors for up to 30 people

Monday, May 3

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can begin to reopen
• People will be able to form an extended household with one other household
• Indoor children’s activities (Moved from May 17)
• Organised indoor activities for up to 15 adults, such as exercise classes and swimming lessons (Moved from May 17)
• Reopening of community centres (Moved from May 17)