Drakeford to set out timetable until mid-April at Friday’s lockdown review

Mark Drakeford is due to set out a timetable for unlocking Wales that stretches until mid-April at Friday’s review.

However, the First Minister told S4C Newyddion that he would not look any further than that for now as any further unlocking was dependent on case numbers in the interim.

He stressed that the Welsh Government would not take any steps that undid any of the gains won over the past two and a half months of ‘stay at home’ lockdown.

“What I want to do on Friday is to give a timetable for the next three weeks, but more than that as well to say something about what we can expect over Easter and into mid-April,” he said.

“Further than that, I think it’s impossible to say for certain as it depends on the context at that time. But I want to give people more certainty that in their lives, their businesses, and to do that not just for the next three weeks but on to mid-April.”

Mae Mark Drakeford AS wedi dweud wrth raglen Newyddion S4C ei fod yn gobeithio cyhoeddi amserlen llacio rheolau Covid-19 tan ganol fis Ebrill.

Dywedodd y Prif Weinidog fod unrhyw amserlen wedi hynny yn “amhosib”. pic.twitter.com/Rt8ipMZOOW

— Newyddion S4C (@NewyddionS4C) March 9, 2021

‘Stay local’

Mark Drakeford has previously suggested that non-essential retail will get the go-ahead to re-open at Friday’s press conference.

Hairdressers are also expected to be given the go-ahead to reopen on 15 March.

It is understood that the Welsh Government has already provided businesses with a checklist of rules before the announcement on Friday.

The rules will include limiting the number of customers, 2m social distancing, one way systems, and encouraging cashless purchases.

Other expected measures include an announcement that a ‘stay local’ rule will come into place rather than ‘stay at home’, and that self-contained accommodation will be allowed to reopen in time for the Easter holidays.

Schools will also be able to welcome pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 for “check-in” sessions before they are due back fully from mid-April.

All primary pupils, years 11 and 13, and some college students will begin to return from 15 March, with flexibility for year 10 and 12, to return.