The Welsh Government is publishing an updated Coronavirus Control Plan to outline the potential actions to control the spread of the virus.
Wales will remain at alert level zero for the next three weeks, following the latest review of the coronavirus regulations. This means all businesses are open and Wales has the lowest level of restrictions.
The latest version of the Coronavirus Control Plan sets out two planning scenarios for the pandemic over the winter.
Covid Stable
In the first, called Covid Stable, Wales remains at alert level zero through the autumn and winter, with all businesses able to open.
This is thought to be the most likely scenario for the future, as we become used to living with coronavirus and we gradually move out of the pandemic to a position where the virus becomes a seasonal illness.
Under this scenario, if case rates fall, measures could be relaxed further in response, and if they rise, some existing measures could be strengthened to protect people’s health.
Covid Urgent
The second planning scenario, called Covid Urgent, is designed to deal with any sudden changes to the situation, caused by the emergence of a new, fast-spreading variant or if vaccine immunity levels fall, causing a rise in pandemic pressures, which risk overwhelming the NHS.
In such a scenario, the alert level system and restrictions would be used proportionately, but as a last-resort means, to protect people’s health, control the spread of infections and to protect the NHS.
Most Read
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We are facing a challenging winter ahead – coronavirus hasn’t gone away and flu is forecast to return this winter.
"Vaccination is the best defence we have against coronavirus – the more people who are fully vaccinated, the better our chances of controlling the spread of this awful virus.
"We will continue to focus our efforts on increasing take up of the Covid-19 vaccine across the age and priority groups and rolling out the booster vaccine too. We also encourage everyone who is eligible, to have their flu jab this year.
"There is also a range of other measures we can all take to help protect ourselves and our loved ones, such as washing our hands, reducing the number of people we meet and wearing a face covering in indoor public places."
Latest advice:
- Get your Covid-19 vaccines, including your booster when invited
- Get tested and self-isolate if you have symptoms
- Outdoors is safer than indoors
- Keep your distance when you can
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering in indoor public places
- Keep indoor places well-ventilated
- Work from home whenever possible
- Use a Covid Pass in nightclubs and large events.
Want more news like this? Sign up to the Business Live newsletter