Q&A: "Careful, cautious, 'step by step' approach.. continues"

Concern over Indian variant - but First Minister Mark Drakeford says further moves to ease restrictions are being considered for the summer.

Author: Emma GrantPublished 14th May 2021
Last updated 14th May 2021

Earlier our reporter Emma Grant spoke with Mark Drakeford ahead of the lockdown review briefing. Listeners also had the chance to have their say - with their questions being put to the First Minister.

You can watch that Q&A here:

Lockdown Review Update

Indian Variant:

*26 people have tested positive in Wales

*All those cases are as a result of international travel - people coming back to Wales from overseas

*All being carefully monitored by local public health teams

*All individuals involved following advice - self-isolating

Local Lockdowns

No plans at present

Wales moves to alert level 2 on Monday - what can we expect?

Travel:

*International travel will restart Monday for people as part of changes to our regulations..with those travelling to some overseas countries not having to quarantine on their return.

  • A paper-based vaccination status will be available for people in Wales who have had 2 doses of vaccination and need to urgently travel to a country that requires covid vaccination proof.

*Additional safeguards will be put in place to help prevent new cases of coronavirus being imported into Wales.

*Welsh ministers said people should only travel from 17 May for "essential purposes"

*Mark Drakeford urged people to stay in Wales to avoid "importing" coronavirus from abroad saying "if ever there was a year to holiday at home, and see what Wales has to offer, then surely this is the year to do just that."

What can reopen?

*Indoor hospitality for groups of six

*Remaining holiday accommodation

*Entertainment venues - theatres, cinemas, bingo halls, indoor play centres, amusement arcades

*Indoor visitor attractions

*Mark Drakeford hopes it will be 'good year for tourism' and more people will 'use this fantastic opportunity to holiday in Wales'

Play-offs:

*The Welsh Government has confirmed that fans will be allowed to attend Swansea and Newport's play-off semi-finals.

*The games will mark the first time supporters have been able to return to stadiums in the country since coronavirus restrictions began in March last year.

*A crowd of 900 will watch Newport's tie against Forest Green, while 3-thousand people will be able to watch Swansea face Barnsley.

Additional financial support:

*Businesses still affected by coronavirus restrictions will be able to claim up to £25,000 more in support to help meet ongoing costs.

Mask wearing:

*Social distancing and mask-wearing likely to stay beyond summer in Wales

*The advice is part of a report by the Chief Medical Officer.

Care homes:

From 24 May, restrictions on numbers of visitors to care homes will be eased.

Working From Home:

"Continues to be major contribution to keeping Wales safe. Drakeford sees blended working being the future - 30 percent at any one time working remotely.

Vaccination programme:

*Wales will reach the two million first dose milestone this weekend

*More than half of people in their 30s and a third of people aged 18 to 29 have had their first dose

Next Lockdown Review:

  • Mark Drakeford doesn't want to over anticipate when all restrictions can be lifted totally

*Welsh Government will consider moving into alert level 1 if the Covid situation 'remains positive'

This will allow:

*Further changes to meeting people in private homes

*Increasing the number of people who can meet outdoors and the number of people who can attend organised activities and events, including wedding receptions, to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors

*Permitting larger-scale events to take place indoors and outdoors.