‘Conceivable’ Covid pass could be dropped in Wales in three weeks says Mark Drakeford

The First Minister has said that it is “conceivable but not guaranteed” that the Covid pass could be dropped in three weeks.

He was asked on Sky News whether some of the last protections in Wales could come to an end on February 10 when the Welsh Government have said that they will look at Wales’ Alert Level 0 status.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that measures such as face masks, working from home and vaccine passes will end next week in England, with compulsory self-isolation due to end in March.

Mak Drakeford was asked on Sky News whether the Covid pass would be continuing “in perpetuity” in Wales.

“Not in perpetuity – we’re committed to reviewing that on 10 February,” he said. “That will go on a little longer than the other protections to ensure that Wales has a smooth path out of the Omicron wave.

He added that it was “conceivable but by no means guaranteed” there will be an end to the need for Covid passes in Wales on February 10.

“We’ve seen just in the last week or so how fast things can change,” he said. “The 10th of February is still three weeks away.

“If things continue to improve at their present rate and we were in a position to lift further protections, of course that is what we want to do. But in Wales we will only do it when we’re sure that we have the clinical advice, the scientific advice that would tell us that it would be safe to do that.”

Mark Drakeford says “it’s conceivable but by no means guaranteed” there will be an end to the need for COVID passes in Wales on February 10, but adds “we will only do it” with clinical and scientific recommendation.https://t.co/Qqn8mI1N3u

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Mark Drakeford confirmed yesterday that Wales will complete the move to alert level zero on 28 January, unless the public health situation changes for the worse.

The latest health data suggested Wales has passed the peak of the omicron wave and that there had been a reduction in the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital.

The restrictions

From tomorrow, Friday 21 January, Wales will move to alert level zero for all outdoor activities.

This means:

• Crowds will be able to return to outdoor sporting events.
• There will be no limits on the number of people who can take part in outdoor activities and events.
• Outdoor hospitality will be able to operate without the additional measures required introduced in December, such as the rule of six and 2m social distancing
• The Covid Pass will continue to be required for entry to larger outdoor events attended by more than 4,000 people, if unseated, or 10,000 people when seated.
• The Covid Pass is required in all cinemas, theatres and concert halls which are currently open.

On Friday 28 January, Wales will complete the move to alert level zero. This means:

• Nightclubs will re-open.
• Businesses, employers and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
• The general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces will be removed.
• The rule of six will no longer apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
• Licensed premises will no longer need to only provide table service and collect contact details.
• Working from home will remain part of advice from the Welsh Government but it will no longer be a legal requirement.

The Covid Pass will continue to be required to enter larger indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.