Further Clarification on easing of Covid restrictions in Wales

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Here’s the latest information from Welsh Government – the key point for most Outdoor Providers is that “Organised activities (30 outdoors, 15 indoors) will be considered as part of the 22 April review” – which suggests that the end of April is the earliest we can expect any kind of ‘normal’ outdoor activity involving adult groups…

“The Welsh Government updated its Coronavirus Control Plan [on Fri 19 Mar], setting out how and when more people and businesses will be able to resume their activities in the safest possible way…

“The plan has been updated to take account of Wales’ fast-moving vaccination programme and the emergence of the highly-infectious Kent variant of the virus, which is now dominant throughout Wales. It also reflects the risk of new, potentially vaccine-resistant variants of coronavirus being imported into Wales from people holidaying and travelling overseas.

“The new plan will support the Welsh Government to continue to relax restrictions while the public health situation continues to remain positive – rates have fallen significantly across Wales thanks to all the hard work and sacrifices made by people during the winter months. It sets out a range of indictors the Welsh Government will analyse and assess, alongside professional expert advice and intelligence from local partners, to determine how restrictions are relaxed.

“But if there are strong signs of a growth in infections, it also sets out how the relaxations may need to be slowed, paused or in the worst case, reversed…

“The updated Coronavirus Control Plan sets out the following phased steps for moving from alert level four into alert level three:

From Monday 22 March:

  • First phased opening of non-essential retail – restrictions on the sale of items will be lifted for shops, which are currently open;
  • Garden centres re-open.

From Saturday 27 March: Next week, Ministers will confirm if the conditions allow for the following relaxations to come into force:

  • Stay local requirement lifted, moving Wales into alert level three;
  • First phased opening of the tourism sector as self-contained accommodation opens;
  • Organised outdoor children’s activities resume;
  • Limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens;
  • Libraries re-open.

1 April review cycle: From 12 April (if conditions allow):

  • Full return to schools, colleges and other education;
  • All shops to open;
  • Close contact services to open.

22 April review cycle The following areas will be considered as part of the 22 April review, if the public health situation continues to remain positive and vaccination rates continue to increase:

  • Gyms, leisure and fitness facilities;
  • Outdoor attractions;
  • Outdoor hospitality;
  • Weddings;
  • Community centres;
  • Organised activities (30 outdoors, 15 indoors);
  • Extended households.

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