No major changes to Covid rules in Wales after review

There will be no major changes to the coronavirus rules currently in place in Wales, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

In their three-week review held this week, Welsh Government ministers decided to continue with the measures already in place, despite an increase in virus cases across Wales.

The only change is the requirement for guests at weddings and civil partnership ceremonies to wear a mask being dropped.

Between August 15 and August 21, more than 10,500 cases were recorded in Wales – with 445 of them in Caerphilly County Borough.

However, 2,171,499 people in Wales are now fully vaccinated.

Currently, Wales is in Alert Level Zero, meaning close contacts of coronavirus cases don’t need to self-isolate if fully vaccinated or under the age of 18, while masks are only required in shops, on public transport and in health settings.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The number of cases is increasing and the public health position is worse than it was three weeks ago, when we moved into Alert Level Zero. It’s vital we all keep taking precautions to ensure the progress we have won is not lost.

“Getting vaccinated remains one of the very best defences we have. If you haven’t already then please take up the offer and join more than 2.1 million people in Wales who’ve had a full course to protect themselves and to protect others.”

He added: “There are also everyday steps each of us can take to keep each other safe. This may be meeting others outdoors instead of indoors, or keeping our distance from others when out. If you are with people indoors then opening a window to let fresh air into the room will mean the virus is less likely to spread. We are still asking people to work from home wherever possible.

“Actions like these will help stop the need for any stronger measures. The pandemic is still with us and that means we have to get vaccinated and continue to take precautions to keep the virus under control.”

Who has been vaccinated so far?

The percentage of people in Wales who have received their first and second vaccine is broken down below:

Care home residents: 98.2% first dose; 95.6% second dose

Care home workers: 93.8% first dose; 90.6% second dose

Healthcare workers: 96.7% first dose; 94.5% second dose

Social care workers: 45,741 first dose; 45,024 second dose

Aged 80 and above: 96.1% first dose; 94.9% second dose

Aged 75-79: 96.9% first dose; 96.1% second dose

Aged 70-74: 96.3% first dose; 95.6% second dose

Clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 16-69 : 94.0% first dose; 9.9% second dose

Aged 65-69: 95.1% first dose; 94% second dose

Clinical risk groups aged 16 to 64: 90.2% first dose; 86.5% second dose

Aged 60-64: 93.4% first dose; 92.1% second dose

Aged 55-59: 91.7% first dose; 89.9% second dose

Aged 50-54: 89.8% first dose; 87.5% second dose

Aged 40-49: 84.6% first dose; 80.9% second dose

Aged 30-39: 77.2% first dose; 70.1% second dose

Aged 18-29: 76.2% first dose; 64.5% second dose

Aged 16-17: 56.9% first dose; 10% second dose

Source: Public Health Wales