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Mark Drakeford set to announce Wales is to move to Alert Level Zero over next fortnight

Welsh Government says that additional rules - added since Christmas - will be removed as long as the health situation continues to improve

First Minister Mark Drakeford(Image: PA)

First Minister Mark Drakeford is set to drop the Covid rules brought in across Wales after Christmas.

The restrictions in Wales were tightened on Boxing Day with no more than 50 people able to attend sporting events.

Meanwhile social distancing and a rule of six were imposed at hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants. Nightclubs were closed the next day.

It added extra financial pressure on already struggling sectors hit by a wave of cancellations due to virus fears in the run up to Christmas day.

The measures were taken after the Omicron variant had fuelled a spike in cases.

But while hospitalisations have increased it has not been close to the rate seen during previous surges - and the number of people needing intensive care has remained relatively stable.

Wales also has the most successful booster programme of the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ nations - with the percentage boosted well ahead of England, which doesn't have any extra restrictions.

This has added to the pressure for Welsh Government to ease rules on this side of the border.

With the hope Wales has seen its peak in cases First Minister Mark Drakeford will set out how Wales plans to move back to Alert Level Zero if the public health situation continues to improve.