Wales moves to Alert Level 1 from 17th July – Alert Level 0 from August 7th ‘if safe to do so’

Wales will take its next step towards a future with fewer covid legal restrictions as First Minister Mark Drakeford today set out a longer-term plan for the summer.

Wales will move fully into alert level one from 17th July. The changes were paused four weeks ago because of the emergence and spread of the delta variant across the UK and to enable more people to be vaccinated in Wales.

There will be further changes to the rules outdoors as Wales takes the first steps towards a new alert level zero.

Alert level zero is set out in an updated Coronavirus Control Plan, which is published today. If the public health situation allows, Wales will move to this level on 7 August.

The plan document also contains some data, noting: “Of the 3,666 confirmed delta cases at 6 July, 48.8% were unvaccinated, 33.6% had received their first dose and 17.6% were fully vaccinated. Thirty-eight people of the 3,666 confirmed delta cases had been hospitalised (1%). This underlines the effectiveness and importance of being fully vaccinated.”

The plan also notes the gradual shift in monitoring methodology, “Indicators will continue to include the case rate (seven-day rolling average) as a key leading indicator with which there is still a measurable relationship with hospitalisations and deaths (albeit much weakened). A rise in cases may no longer represent the same risk as it once was because of the weakened link but sustained very high rates will still be a concern. ”

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

“We can move to alert level one for indoor spaces from 17 July and go further for outdoor spaces because we know the risk of transmission outdoors is lower.

“We are also publishing plans for a new alert level zero, which will have fewer legal restrictions but which will still need all of us to take steps to protect ourselves.”

From 17 July, Wales will move fully to alert level one, including:

• 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.
• Ice rinks can reopen.

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.

Also from 17 July other changes include:

• New rules for children’s residential activity centres so children in groups of up to 30 can visit.
• A specific requirement for employees to provide comprehensive information on the risks and mitigations identified in the COVID risk assessment with their employees.

If Wales moves to alert level zero on 7 August, all premises would be able to open and most – but not all – restrictions will be removed and replaced with the ongoing requirement for all organisations and businesses to carry out Covid risk assessments. These will determine what reasonable measures are needed to be put in place to keep workers and customers and visitors safe.

There will also be no legal limits on the number of people who can meet others indoors, including in private homes.

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.

The First Minister said: “The pandemic is not over and the virus continues to spread across Wales, which makes it really important for everyone to say yes to vaccination and to do everything we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

“Even though vaccines have weakened the link between the virus and hospitalisation, we are seeing young, fit people suffer from long-Covid, which, for some, has a major impact on their lives.

“We have the headroom to continue to gradually remove restrictions, but each and every one of us has a really important part to play to keep Wales safe as we head into the summer.”

The First Minister has also confirmed that people who have who have been fully vaccinated in the UK will no longer need to self-isolate if they are returning from an amber list country, in line with the position in England and Scotland.