Related Post
Sports fans will be able to return to stadiums and nightclubs will reopen in Wales as Mark Drakeford confirmed outdoor Covid-19 measures are being eased from today.
The First Minister, 67, announced that from today, crowds will be able to return to outdoor sporting events and limits will be removed from outdoor activities.
Wales is moving from alert level two measures to alert level zero for all outdoor activities. It is the second part of a three-week roadmap to scrap Omicron restrictions.
The phased move to alert level zero will be completed by January 28 unless the Covid-19 situation deteriorates in the country, Mr Drakeford confirmed.
Mark Drakeford (pictured), 67, said Wales will start to move to alert level zero for all outdoor activities as the second part of a three-week roadmap to scrap Omicron measures
From today, crowds will be able to return to outdoor sporting events and limits will be removed from in outdoor activities. Pictured: Principality Stadium in Cardiff
By the end of the month, nightclubs in Wales should be able to reopen and social distancing and rule of six requirements will be ended.
On January 15, the first stage of the three-week roadmap saw the number of people who can attend outdoor events rise from 50 to 500.
The latest public health data suggests Wales has passed the peak of the Omicron wave and Covid cases are now falling back to levels similar to those seen earlier in the autumn.
There have also been reductions in the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital.
Alert level zero was applied in Wales last summer and scrapped legal limits on the number of people who could meet and saw business and hospitality premises allowed to open without restrictions.
Some protections remained in place, with businesses required to undertake specific coronavirus risk assessments and to take ‘reasonable measures’ to stop the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, adults and children aged 11 and over had to continue to wear face coverings in indoor public places, with the exception of hospitality settings.
From today, Wales will move back to alert level zero for all outdoor activities, meaning sports fans will be able to return to stadiums.
The rule of six and social distancing will also be removed from outdoor hospitality under the phased plan.
But 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.
Covid passes will also still be required in all cinemas, theatres and concert halls that are currently open.
On January 28, Wales will complete the move to alert level zero, meaning nightclubs will reopen and the requirement for two-metre social distancing and the rule of six will end.
Mr Drakeford said: ‘The latest figures show we have passed the Omicron peak and we can continue to lift the alert level two protections as part of our careful and phased plan.
‘We will lift the limits on the number of people who can gather for outdoor events.
‘We remain cautiously confident the public health situation is heading in the right direction and next week we will be able to complete the move to alert level zero, unless the situation changes for the worse.
‘We are in this position thanks to the efforts of everyone in Wales and our fantastic vaccination programme.
‘It is important that everyone continues to follow the rules and the guidance to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including taking up the offer of a booster vaccine if they haven’t already done so.’
After January 28, businesses, employers and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific Covid risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of the virus.
Working from home will remain part of the 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.
Self-isolation rules for everyone who tests positive for Covid and face covering rules, which apply in most public indoor places, will remain in force after January 28.
Mr Drakeford had been under growing political pressure to roll back his curbs, with Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, accusing his Labour counterpart of ‘overreacting’ to Omicron.
Earlier this month, the First Minister rejected the claim that he had ‘overreacted’ to Omicron, telling reporters: ‘What the actual figures show… is that the measures we took in Wales were both necessary and effective.’
