Alert level 4 restrictions to remain in place

Alert level 4 lockdown restrictions will remain in place in Wales for the next three weeks, the First Minister confirmed today.

This means everyone must stay at home and work from home wherever possible. And all non-essential retail, hospitality venues, licensed premises and leisure facilities must remain closed.

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, said that while cases of coronavirus are falling in all parts of Wales they remain too high to consider a relaxation of the restrictions.

He said: “The number of people testing positive is high and the intense pressure on our NHS remains.  

“We can all be proud of excellent progress of the vaccination programme in Wales, but there is still a considerable way to go.  We must not let the virus re-establish itself by moving to a lower alert level too soon.”

Schools and colleges will continue to provide remote learning until February half term with the intention then that if numbers of coronavirus cases continue to fall primary school pupils return in a “phased and flexible way” from 22 February.

Mr Drakeford said: “This recognises that our youngest learners find it more difficult to learn remotely; the evidence of the long-term impact, particularly for our youngest learners and the scientific evidence on transmission in younger children.

“If there is sufficient headroom, we will bring back small numbers of secondary and college learners at the same time. We are working with schools, post-16 providers and unions to determine how that would be best achieved.  Our priority will be vocational learners, including apprentices, who need access to training or workplace environments in order to undertake practical qualifications

“Education provision will continue after half term for vulnerable learners, children of critical workers, and learners undertaking essential exams or assessments and special schools and PRUs will continue to remain open where possible.”

Mr Drakeford said the restrictions will also be amended in Wales to allow a maximum of two people from two different households to exercise together, although they should make every effort to maintain social distancing.

People must still start and finish exercise from their home unless a person needs to travel for health reasons. This means that, for now, if two people are meeting they will need to live nearby each other as travel for exercise is generally not allowed.

Mr Drakeford said: “The restrictions currently provide for support bubbles to be formed to help single people and single parents.

“I recognise people’s relationships and circumstances may change over time and we will amend regulations and guidance to allow for a support bubble to be changed provided both households do not see any other household for a period of 10 days before forming the new support bubble. This should be a last resort as it is safest if we do not change any support bubble we are in.”

Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David said: “We urge residents to stay at home, work from home if possible, continue to maintain social distancing and wear a face covering where required -  and when exercising ensure it is started and finishing from home.

“While it is a very welcome news that the number of coronavirus cases are decreasing and the vaccination programme is progressing well, we know this deadly virus can spread very quickly from person to person.

“Please continue to keep our friends, families and communities as safe as possible.”