Further Covid-19 restriction relaxations brought forward

Welsh Government has announced further changes to coronavirus restrictions as cases of new Covid-19 infections continue to fall across Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed further relaxations will be brought forward from 17 May to 3 May – including the resumption of indoor supervised activities for children, indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults, such as exercise classes, and the re-opening of community centres.

This means Wales will have completed the move to Alert Level 3 by Monday 3 May with gyms and leisure centres allowed to reopen and people being able to form extended households with one other household from this date.

From tomorrow (Saturday 24 April), the rule of six will allow for up to six people from six households to meet outdoors, not including children under 11 years of age or carers from those households. People should observe social distancing from people from outside their household or support bubble when meeting others outside. The rules for meeting indoors remain unchanged.

Welsh Government has also confirmed that outdoor hospitality settings can reopen from Monday 26 April, as well as outdoor attractions, including swimming pools, funfairs and theme parks. Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people will be able to take place and weddings receptions can begin again outdoors for up to 30 people.

Mr Drakeford said: “The sacrifices we have made continue to show results. By us all working together and sticking to the rules, combined with our vaccination programme, mean we continue to make progress. Rates of the virus continue to fall and the public health situation is improving.

“Due to these efforts we are able confirm more easing of the restrictions from 26 April and for early May we are again able to bring forward some of our plans. However, this progress is dependent on all of us continuing to work together to keep Wales safe.

“At the last three-week review, I set out a forward-look of how the restrictions could continue to be lifted in the weeks ahead, if the public health situation remains stable.

“It will be for the incoming Welsh Government to confirm these arrangements at the next three-week review, which will be held on May 13 – a week after the election. It is my assessment that the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to open indoors from May 17, together with all other tourist accommodation, indoor entertainment and attractions.”

As the health situation continues to improve in Wales, we welcome this latest announcement from Welsh Government. Wales has the lowest coronavirus rates of the UK nations and that is thanks to residents for keeping to the rules.

The successful vaccine programme continues but in order to keep the rates low, we must continue to follow the guidance in place on social distancing, washing hands and wearing face coverings where required.

Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David

Changes from Monday 3 May:

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities being able to reopen
• People will be able to form extended households with one other household

Relaxations planned for 17 May will be brought forward to 3 May, including:

• The resumption of indoor supervised activities for children
• Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults (such as exercise classes and swimming lessons)
• Re-opening of community centres

Further possible easements are subject to the public health situation remaining favourable.

Businesses in Bridgend County Borough can find advice about reopening outdoor venues at the Shared Regulatory Services website.