FULL LIST OF COVID RULES THAT CHANGED IN WALES THIS WEEK

THE full lifting of rules to safeguard the public against coronavirus has been delayed by a new strain. So what exactly is changing from this week?

Here we take a look at the shifts in what the Welsh Government says we must do as we grapple with the latest challenges of the pandemic.

As the Omicron BA.2 variant, a more transmissible form of Omicron, continues to pose a risk across Wales and beyond, the First Minister Mark Drakeford has set out what will change and what will remain the same this week.

From Monday, face coverings are no longer required by law in retail settings and on public transport.

Wales will continue to gradually relax some of its remaining pandemic protection and while not legally required, face masks will continue to be recommended in public health advice.

Mr Drakeford said: “We had hoped to be able to take the next steps (in that plan) on Monday, (March 28) by removing the legal framework, which underpins the remaining protections we have in place, and replacing them with strengthened guidance to help keep people safe.

“The rapid spread of infections caused by BA2 means we need to retain some of these protections in law for a little while longer.

“But we continue to strongly advise everyone to take steps to protect themselves.

“The small things we all do are more important than ever.”

From Monday (March 28), face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in shops or on public transport and the need to self isolate will become guidance, not law.

For the next three weeks:

■ It will still be a legal requirement to wear face coverings in health and social care settings.

■ The First Minister said the Welsh Government will continue to strongly advise everyone to wear face coverings in crowded indoor public places, including in shops and on public transport.

■ It will also be a legal requirement for businesses, organisations and workplaces to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment and put in place reasonable measures to reduce the risk of spreading the virus on their premises.

■ Self-isolating after a positive test will still be something they strongly recommend rather than being a legal requirement.

■ A £500 self-isolation payment will continue to be available to people on lower incomes and parents until June, to support self-isolation.

■ The guidance to schools will remain unchanged until the end of term. The advice is that face coverings should be worn by staff, secondary school learners and visitors in communal areas outside the classroom.

The updates come as Covid-19 infections have risen sharply across most of the UK and are nearing record levels in England, while both Scotland and Wales have reached an all-time high, according to figures released on Friday.

The next three-weekly review of coronavirus regulations will be carried out by 14 April, when the remaining legal measures will be reviewed.