The lockdown rule changes under consideration in this week’s three-week review
THIS Thursday will see the outcome of the latest three-weekly review of lockdown rules in Wales announced.
Since the start of the lockdowns more than a year ago these have been the moments when the Welsh Government is legally obliged to review the current measures to check they are proportionate.
With people in Wales in a severe lockdown since before Christmas these reviews are the key to finding out when we are going to be granted more freedom in our lives.
This particular review is slightly unusual because we already know much of what is going to be said, but there are still a few unknowns. What will be announced at the review? The Welsh Government will almost certainly announce that all children will be returning to school after the Easter break.
At present children in years seven, eight and nine are not in school full-time as primary school children and those with exams were given priority.
However, these three years have been back for a few days week in order to check in and the Welsh Government has indicated that all children will return after Easter if the situation allows.
It is also likely that the Welsh Government will confirm that all non-essential retail will be reopening on April 12.
In addition there is also an expectation that remaining close contact services, such as spas and tattoists, will also be opening their doors on that date, while it is expected that people will be able to travel between Wales and England from then too.
All of the above changes are very likely to go ahead unless there is a massive spike in cases. However, there are also some announcements that could be made as part of the timeline of changes.
The Welsh Government has already said that at the next review on April 22 other options under consideration include the reintroduction of extended households (which are currently only permitted in limited circumstances) as well as the reopening of gyms and outdoor hospitality.
All of these sectors would need time to prepare for an opening, and last summer the Welsh Government gave them around three weeks to make the preparations. If it follows this model again it seems possible that we may hear some more concrete dates at the announcement.