It’s all change as new rules come in
WALES’S lockdown rules are changing again this week, with all schoolchildren back to the classroom and shops reopening.
Last Thursday the Welsh Government published a revised timetable of key lockdown dates for coronavirus restriction easing in Wales.
The move was made as coronavirus cases fell to their lowest rate since September.
The Welsh Government says the public health situation – and vaccination rates – continue to improve.
The pressure on hospitals is also easing.
Confirmed cases in hospital beds continue to reduce, and now stand at 89. This is 26% lower than last Thursday and is the lowest position since September 22, 2020.
Things changing from today have been confirmed as follows:
ALL SHOPS CAN REOPEN
Essential retail has remained open throughout the pandemic but many shops deemed nonessential have been closed.
Supermarkets were also banned from selling nonessential items but that restriction was lifted on March 22.
From today all shops will be allowed to reopen.
CHILDREN BACK IN THE CLASSROOMS
Foundation phase children returned to school on February 22, with some older children following on March 15.
But from today all children will return to schools for face-to-face learning.
The Welsh Government says that was a priority.
UNIVERSITIES CAN REOPEN
University campuses can open for blended face-toface/online learning for all students, as will further education and training centres.
CLOSE-CONTACT SERVICES RESUME
While hairdressers and barbers have been able to reopen already, other close-contact services like beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers can once again open customers from today. Mobile services can also resume.
DRIVING LESSONS CAN RESUME
Under alert level four rules, driving lessons and tests were not allowed except for limited emergency tests for people who need to drive as part of their job.
The rules have meant thousands of people have been unable to take lessons or had tests delayed or cancelled since December’s lockdown.
Driving instructors had said they were struggling to survive .
The UK Government, which has powers over driving tests, says that it hopes to allow car driving lessons, car and trailer driving lessons, large goods vehicle (LGV) training, and driving instructor training to resume, and theory tests, motorcycle tests, LGV driving tests and car and trailer driving tests to get going again from today.
PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL TO WALES FROM ENGLAND (AND VICE VERSA)
In the changes announced ahead of the Easter holiday the Welsh Government lifted the “stay local” rule which allowed people to travel around Wales but said people could not enter Wales without a reasonable excuse. From today that rule is lifted.
A spokesman said: “Travel restrictions on travelling into and out of Wales will be lifted. However, restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area without a reasonable excuse remain in place.”
The Common Travel Area means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.
Travel to other parts of the United Kingdom and Common Travel Area are dependent on the rules of each area.
From today the UK Government allows members of the same household to take a holiday together in England in self-contained accommodation.
A ban on international travel remains in place, with travel only permitted in limited circumstances.
VIEWINGS AT WEDDING VENUES CAN BEGIN
Couples will be able to book viewings at wedding venues as long as they make an appointment.
CANVASSING FOR ELECTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED
Until now those campaigning for elections, including the Senedd elections on May 6, have not been allowed to go out knocking on doors or canvassing people. That will be allowed from today.