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People will have to show an NHS Covid Pass to enter nightclubs and large events, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced following the Welsh Government’s latest three-week coronavirus review.

The measure will come into force from October 11.

However, Wales will remain at Alert Level Zero for the next three weeks, despite high case rates across the country.

But Mr Drakeford urged people to get vaccinated and work from home where possible. He also said enforcement of Covid measures, such as the wearing of face coverings in indoor public places and on public transport, will be ramped up.

Making the announcement, Mr Drakeford said: “Across Wales, coronavirus cases have risen to very high levels over the summer as more people have been gathering and meeting. Tragically, more people are dying from this terrible virus.

“The very strong advice we have from our scientific advisers is to take early action to prevent infections increasing further.

“The last thing we want is further lockdowns and for businesses to have to close their doors once again. That’s why we must take small but meaningful action now to control the spread of the virus and reduce the need for tougher measures later.”

He added: “My message to you today is a simple but serious one – the pandemic is not over and we all need to take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

“We have high levels of the virus in our communities and while our fantastic vaccination programme has helped stop thousands more people from becoming seriously ill or dying, the pressure on the NHS is increasing.

“We hope introducing the requirement to show a Covid pass will help keep venues and events – many of which have only recently started trading again – open.

“We want to do everything we can to Keep Wales Safe as we head into the autumn.”

People who are fully vaccinated can already download the NHS Covid Pass to prove their vaccination status. It also allows people to show they have had a negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.

NHS Covid passes have already been used at a number of large events in Wales, such as the Green Man Festival, which was held near Crickhowell, Powys, in August.

However, a negative lateral flow test result can also be used as part of the vaccine pass, meaning people who are not fully-vaccinated can still access the pass to enter nightclubs and large events, such as concerts and sports matches.

Responding to the announcement, Ben Francis, the chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Wales, said: “There needs to be communication and clarity about the definition of nightclubs in particular and therefore the businesses which would fall within this definition.

“Businesses should not be left confused or at risk of inadvertently finding themselves in breach of this new requirement.”

Prior to the announcement, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies had urged the Welsh Government not to introduce vaccine passports, after plans to enforce them in England were shelved by the UK Government.