Outdoor meeting rules expected to be relaxed in Wales
Coronavirus restrictions in Wales are expected to be relaxed on Monday, the PA news agency understands.
First Minister Mark Drakeford is set to announce on Friday that people from two different households will be able to meet up outdoors, as long as they do not travel more than five miles.
Under new “stay local” guidelines, people will still need to observe social distancing when meeting in public or private outdoor spaces.
Over the last few months, we’ve looked closely at how the virus is behaving in Wales, and the rate of transmission.
I know that being separated from family and friends is difficult.
Tomorrow I will be setting out the changes we will be making to the regulations in Wales. pic.twitter.com/vxi33T2K7E
— Mark Drakeford (@fmwales) May 28, 2020
Exceptions will allow for travelling to work, to seek care, and shopping for essentials if they are not available locally.
The easing of lockdown rules will be formally set out by Mr Drakeford at the Welsh Government’s daily press briefing on Friday.
Further plans to relax restrictions in the coming weeks are also expected to be discussed.
In a video posted online on Thursday, Mr Drakeford said: “We know that the efforts of everyone in Wales has helped to slow the spread of coronavirus and ultimately to protect lives.
“Thank you for your ongoing help and support and for all the sacrifices you have made.
“I know being separated from family and friends is difficult.
“During this review we have been looking at how we can do this once more, in a very careful and cautious way, without increasing the risk of the virus spreading.”
On Thursday Public Health Wales announced a further 14 people had died after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing its total confirmed deaths to 1,307, though the true number is known to be more than 2,000.
Another 72 cases of the virus were also reported, bringing the total of confirmed cases in Wales so far to 13,725.
