Wales set to U-turn on virus rules

THE Labour-run Welsh government was accused of U-turning on stringent Covid rules yesterday as the First Minister outlined plans to ease measures.

Mark Drakeford insisted the restrictions, which have been in place since Boxing Day in response to Omicron, were ‘necessary and effective’.

Opposition parties called for the restrictions to end, with Conservative Andrew RT Davies accusing Labour of ‘overreacting’ to the variant.

And in a U-turn, most of the curbs will be scrapped this month if cases continue to fall.

From today, the number of people allowed at outdoor events will rise from 50 to 500. From January 21, all outdoor activities will move to alert level zero, meaning there will be no limit on numbers in open spaces – including at the Six Nations rugby matches which begins on February 5.

There would also be no measures on indoor activities from January 28. It means nightclubs can reopen and working from home would no longer be a legal requirement. The rule of six, table service and social distancing would also be scrapped for hospitality.