What will the new Covid restrictions be in Wales?
The "two-phase plan" asks people to take measures such as lateral flow testing before meeting loved ones
Last updated 27th May 2022
Wales is set to see new Covid restrictions after Christmas following a surge in Omicron cases in the UK.
Nightclubs are to close on 27th December, while shops and businesses will have to introduce 2 metre social distancing measures to protect customers and staff.
The First Minister has announced a mixture of advice for over the Christmas period, alongside new regulations to follow as part of a "two-phase plan".
Its about being more careful in mixing with others over the coming days, especially if Christmas plans include seeing older or more vulnerable people.
Until the new restrictions come into force the day after Boxing Day, we’re being encouraged to follow five steps to protect ourselves and our friends and families.
These include:
- Getting vaccinated
- Making sure to have a negative lateral flow test result before going shopping or meeting people
- Meeting in well-ventilated areas - preferably outdoors
- Spacing out socialising to allow test days in between
- Sticking to social distancing, wearing a face covering and washing hands.
Work from home
Regulations will also be changed to include a requirement to work from home wherever possible.
Yesterday, Wales recorded a further 2,889 cases of coronavirus but that is expected to rise in the coming weeks, while more people have been cancelling Christmas parties over concerns about the spread of the Omicron of Coronavirus.
To support businesses affected by the changes, the Welsh Government has announced a £60m fund.
“The most serious development in the pandemic to date”
First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
"Delta will continue to be the main cause of coronavirus infections in Wales up to Christmas. But we are seeing cases of Omicron increasing rapidly every day in Wales - and across the UK.
"We need a plan to keep us safe this Christmas and we need stronger measures to protect us afterwards, as we prepare for a large wave of Omicron infections.
"Omicron poses a new threat to our health and safety. It is the most serious development in the pandemic to date.
"It is one we must take seriously. We will continue to put in place proportionate measures to protect people's lives and livelihoods.
"This is a virus which thrives on human contact. Every contact we have is an opportunity for us to spread or catch the virus."
Thanks for the people who have given up Christmas plans to help vaccination drive
Mr Drakeford added:
"This year a smaller Christmas is a safer Christmas. The fewer people we see, the less chance we have of catching or passing on the virus.
"Please enjoy Christmas with your nearest and dearest - and think about meeting up with wider circles of friends when the threat posed by the Omicron variant has passed over.
"I also want to thank the many thousands of people who will be working this Christmas to keep us safe - especially all those who have cancelled their plans to work in the vaccination centres across Wales to increase our protection against this awful virus."
This lunchtime there will be an update from the First Minister about how Coronavirus is spreading in Wales and the new plans to curb it.