WALES DRAWS UP LONG-TERM COVID STRATEGY
Coronavirus restrictions to ease at end of month ... if the public health situation remains stable
ALL coronavirus measures in Wales could be lifted by the end of the month, the Welsh Government has said.
The move is part of the Welsh Government’s long-term plan for how the population will live with coronavirus for the foreseeable future.
Entitled Together For A Safer Future, the plan will mark the start of Wales’ transition beyond the emergency response to the pandemic.
It sets out how Wales can live safely with coronavirus – just as we live with other infectious diseases – and what that will mean for public health services.
Wales will remain at alert level zero for the next three weeks, but all legal measures could be removed from March 28 if the public health situation remains stable.
The Welsh Government says the plan sets out a gradual transition from emergency measures, based on evidence and with the protection of everyone, especially the most vulnerable, at its heart.
The plan sets out how Wales’ response to coronavirus will change under the two core scenarios: Covid Stable and Covid Urgent.
Covid Stable is the most likely scenario, with Wales expected to encounter new waves of infection, but which are not expected to put unsustainable pressure on the NHS thanks to the effectiveness of vaccines and other pharmaceutical treatments, such as new Covid-19 antivirals.
The plan sets out a gradual, phased approach towards the long-term management of the virus, including:
Vaccination boosters in spring for the elderly and most vulnerable adults, and a regular Covid-19 vaccination programme from the autumn.
Test, Trace, Protect gradually moves away from universal and routine symptomatic and asymptomatic testing and the requirement to self-isolate, to a more targeted approach aimed at vulnerable people.
Adaptation of public services, including, for example, using local risk assessments and outbreak control plans.
Businesses to build on the elements of infection control they have put in place to protect staff and customers.
Contingency planning is also under way to enable the Welsh Government and other public services to quickly respond to a Covid-Urgent scenario – such as a new variant which evades the vaccine – if necessary.
The next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations will be held on March 24, when the remaining legal measures at alert level zero will be reviewed.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We’ve been living in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic for two long years.
“It has touched all our lives – across Wales, families and communities have made many sacrifices to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. People in Wales have followed the rules.
“But sadly, too many families have experienced the pain of losing a loved one or a close friend. My thoughts are with them all.
“As we publish this longer-term plan, there is no doubt we have reached a significant moment in this pandemic and we can look to the future with growing confidence.
“This has been made possible by the hard work of everyone and by the efforts of all the health and care staff, public sector workers and volunteers who have done so much over the last two years. But the pandemic isn’t over – this virus is full of nasty surprises and we are likely to see fluctuations in global patterns of infection for several years.
“We need to be ready to respond quickly to any future outbreaks or new variants as we learn to live safely alongside coronavirus in the long-term.
“We have learned so much over the last two years and we need to harness this as we look forward to a safer and brighter future together.”