Wales to move to alert level one from 17 July

The Welsh government has announced that it will move fully into alert level one from 17 July 2021 and relax some of its existing Covid-19 restrictions.

The changes were paused four weeks ago due to the emergence and spread of the delta variant across the UK and to enable more people to be vaccinated in Wales.

From 17 July, the new relaxed rules will mean that up to six people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation.

Organised indoor events can take place for up to 1,000 seated and up to 200 standing.

However, face coverings will continue to be required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport at alert level zero from 7 August, with the exception of hospitality settings.

Wales will also take the first step into alert level zero as the limits on the numbers of people who can meet in public places or at events will be removed. Outdoor premises and events will also have greater flexibility around physical distancing.

First minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are entering a new phase of the pandemic. Cases of the virus have risen sharply since the delta variant emerged six weeks ago but, thanks to our fantastic vaccination programme, we are not seeing these translate into large numbers of people falling seriously ill or needing hospital treatment.

“We can be reasonably confident that vaccination has weakened the link between infections and serious illness. But there is still a risk that this third wave of the pandemic could cause real harm – either direct harm from the virus or indirect harm from for example people having to isolate.”