(Title Image: Welsh Government, Crown Copyright)
Last week, the Welsh Government started a gradual process of easing lockdown restrictions in Wales as new cases of Covid-19 remain at a relatively low level.
Wales will remain in the highest Alert Level 4 with restrictions eased in stages over the coming weeks.
The general guidance is that people should “stay local”, which means within 5-miles of home as a rule-of-thumb.
The key dates include:
- 13th March 2021 – Four people from two different families can meet outdoors (not indoors) though under-11s and carers don’t count towards this figure. Outdoor sports activities can resume (i.e. tennis, golf, bowls) again with a maximum of four people from two households. Indoor care homes visits by one designated visitor can resume.
- 15th March 2021 – All primary school children return to in-class lessons and FE colleges can also allow some students to return. Schools can decide for themselves whether to allow Years 10 and 12 to return to in-class lessons. The current intention is for all schoolchildren – primary and secondary – to return to in-class lessons after the Easter holiday. Hairdressers and barbers can reopen on an appointments-only basis.
- 22nd March 2021 – Restrictions on the sale of non-essential goods will be lifted in supermarkets. Garden centres can reopen.
If the current case rate remains low, it’s expected that following the next three-weekly review (currently due for 1st/2nd April 2021) there will be greater freedom to travel within Wales and moves will be made to allow self-contained tourist accommodation to reopen. Additionally, all non-essential retailers could reopen on 12th April in line with similar moves in England.
Although the Senedd recently passed a law to allow a delay to elections, the First Minister said the Senedd and Police & Crime Commissioner elections will go ahead as planned on Thursday May 6th 2021.
Political party activists and individuals will be allowed to go door-to-door to deliver leaflets in their local area whilst maintaining a distance from each other. However, they will not be allowed to canvass voters in-person on the doorstep (though this is being kept under review).
