Covid restrictions set to be relaxed in Wales over next two weeks

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced plans to ease Covid restrictions in Wales.

Since Boxing Day, Wales has been under Alert Level Two restrictions – with limits on the number of people allowed to meet outdoors, sporting fixtures being played behind closed doors and the rule of six returning in pubs and restaurants.

But plans to gradually return to Alert Level Zero – the level of restrictions Wales was under before Boxing Day – were outlined by Mr Drakeford on Friday.

From Saturday, January 15, the number of people who can attend outdoor events will increase from 50 to 500.

From Friday, January 21, Wales will move into Alert Level Zero for all outdoor activities, meaning there will be no limits on the number of people who can take part in outdoor activities.

Crowds will also be allowed to return to outdoor sporting events, meaning Wales’ home Six Nations rugby matches would be played in front of full crowds.

Meanwhile, outdoor hospitality will be able to operate without restrictions, but Covid passes will be needed for entry to large outdoor events.

As of Friday, January 28, nighclubs will be allowed to reopen, working from home will no longer be a legal requirement and the rule of six and social distancing will no longer be needed in restaurants, pubs, cafes and other hospitality settings.

These measures to ease restrictions in Wales will come into force providing the Omicron situation continues to improve, the Welsh Government has said.

Come February 10, the Welsh Government will go back to holding its Covid review every three weeks.

Mr Drakeford thanked the public for abiding by the rules and paid tribute to everyone involved in the booster vaccine programme – which he said has been “vital in increasing our protection against Omicron”.

The First Minister continued: “The actions we have taken together have helped us to weather the omicron storm. The latest data suggests some positive signs that the peak may have passed.

“We can now look more confidently to the future and plan to start gradually removing the Alert Level Two restrictions, starting with the outdoors measures.”

However, Mr Drakeford reiterated the pandemic “is not over” and said the Welsh Government will “closely monitor” the situation.

The Welsh Conservatives welcomed the First Minister’s announcement, but said the Welsh Government had “overreacted” to Omicron.