Wales set to see Covid restrictions lifted in two weeks
Rules on sport and hospitality venues have been in place since Boxing Day
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
Level Two Covid restrictions in Wales are set to be lifted in two weeks.
The First Minister will use his press briefing later today to lay out how Wales plans to move back to alert level zero.
Mark Drakeford says that depends on the public health situation continuing to improve.
The rules which have been in place since Boxing Day included a ban on fans attending sporting events and the “rule of six” in hospitality venues, while nightclubs have been shut.
The changes mean it looks like Wales Six Nations home games will be played at the Principality Stadium.
The restrictions were brought in over fears of the impact of the Omicron variant, but England didn’t impose any new rules.
The Welsh Conservatives have been putting pressure on the Welsh Government, saying the reaction to the Omicron variant was an over reaction. Their Leader, Andrew RT Davies said:
“The First Minister must also explore reducing the self-isolation period from seven to five days, particularly as the scientific data shows most people aren’t infectious after five days. This will ease workforce pressure in our public services, boost the economy, and move us towards living with the virus.
“Labour’s response to Omicron has been proven to be a mistake and they’ve decided to keep the strictest possible restrictions in place in the UK to save face, no matter the consequences for the finances of businesses and the mental wellbeing of people across the nation.
“Ministers have made Wales an outlier which has put livelihoods at risk. They must now change course and at the very minimum tomorrow publish a roadmap out of restrictions.”
The Welsh Government say they are able to start removing the restrictions thanks to the support of people across Wales and the successful booster campaign – more than 1.75m people have had the extra booster dose.
The move to alert level zero will be phased, with restrictions on outdoor activities being removed first.