Welsh Government announced that Wales will remain at Alert Level Zero after the latest review of the coronavirus regulations - with no extension of the Covid Pass to pubs, restaurants and cafes.
First Minister Mark Drakeford is urging everyone to have their Covid-19 booster vaccine as he warned Wales is facing a new wave of infections caused by the omicron variant.
Mr Drakeford will say, at his regular 21-day review press conference tomorrow that even though only a handful of cases of omicron have so far been confirmed in Wales, the country must be prepared for cases to rise quickly and sharply.
But no new measures will be introduced at this stage which comes as Wales has seen hospitalisation numbers going down for weeks thanks to the vaccine and booster programme.
Welsh Government has been considering widening the use of the Covid Pass in the hospitality sector but no changes will be made tomorrow. They will remain in place at cinemas, theatres, concerts and large events - a move now followed by the 海角视频 Government for England.
It is understood more regular reviews and updates - possibly weekly - could be made if the threat from omicron changes the situation rapidly.
Despite no new rules the Welsh Government is strongly advising:
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People flow before they go. This means taking a lateral flow test before going out – whether that’s to a Christmas party; Christmas shopping; visiting friends or family; going to any crowded or busy place or before travelling.
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If the test is positive, don’t go out. Arrange for a PCR test and self-isolate.
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People to wear face coverings in pubs and restaurants, when they aren’t eating or drinking. Everyone must wear face coverings in most other indoor public places, in accordance with the law, including in cinemas and theatres.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The emergence of the omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic.
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"We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people.
“We are speeding up the roll-out of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.
“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.
“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year.”
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He added: “None of us wanted to hear about the news of this new variant. After almost two years of the pandemic, we had all hoped that we could put coronavirus behind us this Christmas.
“But, we have faced challenges many times during this pandemic. And we have learned from each one. We are not back at square one.
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“Please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please follow all the advice and all the measures which have kept us safe over the last couple of years. And let’s stay safe and well this Christmas.”
海角视频Hospitality Cymru Executive Director David Chapman said: " It’s very welcome news indeed for our anxious, cash-strapped businesses.
“More restrictions in Wales would have been very damaging at this crucial trading time.
“However, the new weekly reviews do add uncertainty and it is now essential that we remain restriction-free until the new year as businesses are reporting that revenues of around 20 per cent below expectation for this pivotal season, and that they are facing difficult commercial decisions going into 2022.
“We have been restricted, closed or trading below viability for more than 20 months and now the cupboard is bare.
"The festive season is not providing the safety net that we need to get us through the hard post-Christmas period, so I have today asked the Minister for the Economy to consider sector business rates support, support to retain VAT at 12.5 per cent, rent protection and a grants scheme to protect businesses and out employees going forward.”