Wales lifts most remaining restrictions and moves to alert level zero

Wales lifts most remaining restrictions and moves to alert level zero- but face masks must stay.

Most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Wales have been lifted as the country moves to alert level zero today, Saturday, August 7. It will be the first time in Wales that all businesses have been open since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Social distancing rules and limits on how many people can meet indoors have now ended, almost 17 months after the first lockdown was announced in the country.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said masks are still required in most indoor public places, including in shops, healthcare settings and on public transport. However, they are no longer a legal requirement in hospitality venues where food and drink is served.

Mr Drakeford urged people to still be sensible despite the lifting of restrictions and warned that Wales entering alert level zero does not mean a “free-for-all” as most of the remaining restrictions on daily life disappear.

While he said the downgrading of restrictions was “another big step closer to life as it was before the pandemic began” it did not mean that there was not still work to be done to keep Covid-19 under control in Wales.

And he also said that, with some restrictions still left in place even after Saturday’s shift, the widespread nature of the changes in the move to alert level zero meant the Welsh Government had already decided there will most likely be no further changes to the rules at the next review in three weeks.

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