Drakeford announces they will pause changes to Covid rules for four weeks

The First Minister has announced that the Welsh Government will pause changes to Covid-19 rules for four weeks while they double dose more of the population.

Mark Drakeford said that due to the quick spread of the Delta variant they would only allow minor changes such as more guests at weddings and wakes. There will also be some changes for music and comedy venues.

“The delta variant is now the most dominant form of the virus in Wales,” he said. “But we still have the lowest coronavirus rates and the highest vaccination rates in the UK. We will use the next four weeks to vaccinate even more people.

“There will be no major changes over the next four weeks, but we’ll be making some small changes to the current rules. The number of people who can attend indoor weddings or civil partnership receptions or wakes, organised by a business will be determined by the size of the venue.

“We will also clarify in the rules that small grassroots music and comedy venues can operate on the same basis as other hospitality venues. And we will continue with our planned pilot events in June and July.

“We have already reached our target of offering all eligible adults a 1st dose ahead of schedule. But offers don’t protect people – having the vaccine does. Getting two doses offers us all the best protection. I encourage everyone to take up the offer when invited.”

The announcement comes after the UK Government announced a delay to their expected lifting of all restrictions in England. Restrictions were expected to ease by next Monday, 21 June. But this has now also been delayed by a month.