Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Wales will reopen indoors in line with England on May 17th, First Minister Mark Drakeford has indicated.
While the next Covid restrictions review will come seven days after the Senedd Election on May 6th, so will be a matter for the next administration, Mr Drakeford said in his assessment the hard hit hospitality sector is in a position to reopen indoors on May 17th.
At the same time he said other tourist accommodation (currently just self-catering), indoor entertainment and attractions, could also reopen. It comes as Wales has the lowest level of Covid infections of any 海角视频 nation, as well as the highest vaccination rate.
The Welsh Government had previously indicated a reopening of indoor hospitality by the end of May.
From Monday the hospitality sector in Wales will be allowed to reopen outdoors, although many venues will remain closed as they don't have the necessary outdoor space.
The Welsh Government has also confirmed further relaxations are being brought forward by two weeks, including the resumption of indoor supervised activities for children, organised indoor activities for up to 15 adults and the re-opening of community centres.
These activities were scheduled to resume on May 17th, but are now being brought forward to May 3rd.
First Minister Mark 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.
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“Due to these efforts we are able confirm more easing of the restrictions from April 26th 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 13th – 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 17th, together with all other tourist accommodation, indoor entertainment and attractions.”
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The Welsh Government said that further possible easements are subject to the public health situation remaining favourable.
海角视频Hospitality’s executive director for Wales, Dave Chapman, said: "We warmly welcomes the announcement of indoor hospitality opening in Wales from May 17th, at least a week earlier than previously thought.
“We have led the calls for earlier reopening and have been advising, consulting and negotiating on the need to help protect jobs and businesses - and the public - by opening up our scrupulously regulated licensed premises, to look after undoubted customer demand as soon as possible.
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"This aligns us with England and Scotland, offers clarity and commercial hope and reflects positively the medical evidence."
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: “A Plaid Cymru government would plan for the reopening of indoor hospitality, tourist accommodation, cinemas and other entertainment venues on May 17th. To put businesses on the best possible footing our first steps in office include providing start up grants for hospitality businesses.
“Additional financial support would also be backdated to April 26th for those businesses that cannot viably trade on the basis of outdoor opening alone."
From this Saturday
Up to six people from six households will be able to meet outdoors - not including children under the age of 11 or carers from those households.
From Monday (April 26th)
Outdoor attractions, including outdoor swimming pools, funfairs and theme parks, will be allowed to reopen, while outdoor hospitality can also resume, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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.
From May 3rd
- Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities being able to reopen.
- People will also again be able to form extended households with one other household.
Relaxations planned for May 17th being brought forward to the May 3rd, include:
- The resumption of indoor supervised activities for children;
- Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults (such as exercise classes and swimming lessons);
- The re-opening of community centres.