First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed that outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen in Wales from Monday 26 April, while six people will be allowed to meet outdoors in Wales from this Saturday (24 April).
The confirmation of the easing of lockdown measures comes as cases of COVID-19 continue to fall in Wales. According to the latest data, Wales’ 7-day coronavirus case rate is around 15 cases per 100,000 people – the lowest level of the four UK nations.
Under current rules, only 6 people from two households (not including children under 11 years old or carers) can meet together outdoors. Under the new rules from Saturday, six people from any number of households will be allowed to meet outdoors.
The rules on indoor meetings will remain unchanged, and people are advised to continue following social distancing measures when meeting people from outside their household/support bubble in outdoor areas.
Confirming the easements, First Minister Mark Drakeford said;
“The public health context in Wales remains favourable, with cases falling and our vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength. Because meeting outdoors continues to be lower risk than meeting indoors, we are able to bring forward changes to allow any six people to meet outdoors.
“This will provide more opportunities for people, especially young people, to meet outdoors with their friends. This will undoubtedly have a significant positive impact on people’s wellbeing.”
On Friday, the First Minister is expected to confirm further relaxations to restrictions to take place from 26 April.
Over recent days, the Welsh Government has faced calls to speed up the reopening of indoor hospitality, and match the date of 17 May currently scheduled in England and Scotland. Among those calling for a quicker reopening have been the Welsh Conservatives – the Government is yet to confirm a date for the reopening of such venues.
On Monday, a further 102 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wales, while 2 more suspected COVID-19 deaths were also reported.
