What Covid-19 restrictions are expected to be eased on Saturday?
The Welsh Government is expected to press ahead with easing Covid-19 restrictions on Saturday.
Mark Drakeford could confirm the planned changes tomorrow, which would come into effect on August 7.
Ministers are making a final decision of the matter today. Covid rates in Wales have been falling and the vaccine has weakened the link between infections and serious illness.
The First Minister has previously said that the nation will move to alert level zero on that date if the public health situation allows.
What’s expected to change?
Under the proposed changes, there will also be no legal limits on the number of people who can meet others indoors, including in private homes.
All public premises, including nightclubs, will be able to open and most of restrictions on them will be scrapped.
The legal requirement to socially distance could also be lifted.
Face coverings will continue to be required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport at alert level zero from 7 August, with the exception of hospitality settings.
From 7 August, instead of instructing fully-vaccinated adults to isolate, contact tracers and advisers will provide them with advice and guidance about how to protect themselves and stay safe.
The TTP service will provide a “warn and inform” service for all fully-vaccinated adults and under-18s, who are identified as close contacts.
Some extra safeguards will be put in place for those working with vulnerable people, particularly health and social care staff, including a risk assessment for staff working in health and care and daily lateral flow tests. Members of the public will be strongly advised not to visit hospitals and care homes for 10 days.
Everyone identified as a contact of a positive case will continue to be advised to have a PCR test on day two and day eight, whether they are fully vaccinated or not
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I would like to hear it from Mr Gething
I that Mr Drakeford are to be congratulated for the way they have dealt with this pandemic.
Masks in essential spaces (supermarkets, public transport etc) should stay, but I’d be surprised if there’s much else they kept.
What is safer about hospitality that it is an exception? This is business ahead of health.
The difference with pubs/restaurants is that when you’re sat at the table (so probably 90% of the time you’re there) you don’t have to wear a mask anyway, so I don’t think this would make much difference.
Also hospitality is almost always a private space so if any particular company would like to continue mandatory mask wearing then they’re welcome to.