Wales to further relax Covid restrictions from January 28

Covid restrictions are to be relaxed to the level they were at before Boxing Day last year, the Welsh Government has announced.

This means that from January 28 Wales will move from it current Alert Level Two to Alert Level Zero.

Some of the rules, for outdoors, will already be relaxed from Friday, January 21 though.

This means:

• Crowds back at outdoor sporting events.
• No limits on the number of people taking part in outdoor activities and events.
• Outdoor hospitality will be able to operate without the rule of six and 2m social distancing.
• Covid passes still needed for entry to outdoor events attended by more than 4,000 people, if unseated, or 10,000 people when seated.
• Covid passes still required in all cinemas, theatres and concert halls which are currently open.

From Friday, January 28, the rules will mean:

• Nightclubs can reopen.
• Businesses and employers must continue their risk assessments and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
• The requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces will be removed.
• The rule of six will no longer apply to gatherings in premises such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
• Licensed premises will no longer need to only provide table service and collect contact details.
• Working from home will remain part of advice from the Welsh Government but it will no longer be a legal requirement.
• Covid passes will continue to be required to enter larger indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.

Self-isolation rules for everyone who tests positive for Covid and the face-covering rules, which apply in most public indoor places will remain in force after January 28

The next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations will be carried out by Welsh Government by February 10.

“We have passed the omicron peak”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The latest figures show we have passed the omicron peak and we can continue to lift the alert level two protections as part of our careful and phased plan.”

He added: “We remain cautiously confident the public health situation is heading in the right direction and next week we will be able to complete the move to Alert Level Zero, unless the situation changes for the worse.