Wales’ lockdown could be downgraded to Alert Level 3 – but what does this mean?

Wales’ coronavirus alert level could be downgraded to Alert Level 3.

Wales has been under Alert Level 4 restrictions since before Christmas, but new measures to ease the lockdown could soon be announced by Welsh Government ministers.

The Welsh Government updated its Coronavirus Control Plan on Friday (March 19), which sets out a phased transition into Alert Level 3.

What measures will be eased?

From Monday, March 22, there will be a phased reopening of non-essential retail, with restrictions on the sale of non-essential items lifted. Garden centres will also be able to reopen.

Welsh Government ministers will then confirm whether a further easing of restrictions will come into force from Saturday, March 27,

This will include lifting the stay local requirement, allowing organised outdoor children’s activities to resume, and the reopening of libraries.

The tourism industry could also begin a phased reopening, with self-contained accommodation allowed to open once again, while the outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens could also reopen to visitors.

On April 1, the Welsh Government ministers will review the restrictions in place, with a view to further relaxing restrictions from April 12.

The reopening of all shops will be under consideration, as will allowing all close contact services to reopen and the full return of pupils to schools and colleges.

Following a restrictions review on April 22, extended households could be permitted once again.

Gyms, outdoor attractions, outdoor hospitality and community centres could all reopen.

Organised activities of up to 30 people outdoors and 15 people indoors could also be allowed.

What did the First Minister say?

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are now entering a critical phase in the pandemic.

“We can see light at the end of the tunnel as we approach the end of a long and hard second wave, thanks to the amazing efforts of scientists and researchers across the world to develop effective vaccines.

“Our amazing vaccination programme has made vaccines available to people in the most at-risk groups at incredible speed.”

Mr Drakeford added: “Just as we are rolling out vaccination, we are facing a very different virus in Wales today. The highly-infectious Kent variant is now dominant in all parts of Wales.

“This means the protective behaviours we have all learned to adopt are even more important than ever – getting tested and isolating when we have symptoms; keeping our distance from others; not mixing indoors; avoiding crowds; washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings.

“The pandemic is not over – spring and summer give us hope of more freedom, as rates of infection fall and more people are vaccinated.

“But we must be careful – we can’t rush the process of relaxing restrictions and risk a resurgence of the virus.”

In a press release, the Welsh Government said ministers are “adopting a more cautious approach to coming out of lockdown” due to the “uncertainty and unpredictability” of the Kent variant.