OUTDOOR PUBS AND DINING COULD REOPEN THIS MONTH
All shops get green light for April 12
OUTDOOR hospitality will be allowed to reopen in Wales on April 26, according to Welsh Government plans, and non-essential retail will reopen on April 12.
OUTDOOR hospitality will be allowed to reopen in Wales on April 26, according to Welsh Government plans.
Ahead of the latest review of lockdown measures, which will be announced today, it’s been confirmed that from April 12:
■ All students in Wales will return to face-to-face education
■ All remaining nonessential retail will reopen
■ Close contact services will be allowed to reopen
■ Viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment
■ Outdoor canvassing for elections can begin.
These are part of a raft of measures that will be set out today that will take Wales fully into alert level 3 by May 17, subject to public health conditions remaining favourable
Rules will also be changed to allow travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the United Kingdom and Common Travel Area.
While rules were changed to allow travel around Wales last week a ban on people travelling into or out of Wales was put in place until April 12.
First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “Thanks to a real team effort across Wales, coronavirus cases remain stable, and the vaccination programme continues apace. As a result, the Welsh Government has the headroom to continue its careful, stepby-step approach to relaxing restrictions.
“The review we have concluded this week, means we can continue with our programme of further reopening of the economy and loosening the restrictions in place.”
A statement from the Welsh Government says there will be a further review on April 22 and the Welsh Government has signalled further changes it intends to make at that stage if conditions allow.
From April 26 outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality can reopen, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants.
By May 3 plans include allowing organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people, including outdoor wedding receptions, to take place and on May 10 gyms, leisure centres, and fitness facilities would be allowed to reopen for individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes. That date could also mean extended households will allow two households to meet and have contact indoors.
Then the new cycle beginning on May 17 could see the following resume:
■ Children’s indoor activities.
■ Community centres;
■ Organised indoor activities for adults, limited to a maximum of 15 people. This includes exercise classes.
Indoor hospitality and allowing remaining visitor accommodation to reopen in advance of the spring bank holiday will be considered after May 17.
These are indicative dates to give the sectors time to plan and prepare – decisions on these will be made nearer the time, once the impact of other relaxations have been assessed and subject to the health situation allowing the relaxations to go ahead.
The First Minister added: “The sacrifices we have all made are having a positive effect in the battle against coronavirus. This last year has been incredibly difficult for all of us and again I want to thank everyone for their efforts.
“These efforts have allowed us to gradually ease the restrictions, to gradually introduce more elements of normal life.
“With the weather improving, with more opportunities to see family and friends, there are reasons for optimism. However, we can’t let our guard down yet. We all still need to be vigilant, we still need to do our part to keep this deadly disease at bay.”
Mr Drakeford will speak at 12.15pm today.