First Minister's press conference speech entirely as Wales' path out of lockdown is confirmed
The prospective end of almost all lockdown restrictions in Wales early the following month will not mean a "free-for-all", Mark Drakeford has stated.
The very first Minister made the remarks as he led a media briefing soon after addressing the Senedd and telling MSs pre-pandemic life may return "very substantially" the following month. He explained the functional changes coming into force on Saturday, including six people being permitted to meet indoors in private homes and increased limits for organised indoor events.
And that he explained how if the circumstances using the virus allow Wales will proceed to alert level zero on August 7 meaning almost all restrictions is going to be lifted. You can observe the full timetable for that weeks ahead and all sorts of rules here.
Even when Wales reaches its lowest alert level though masks are set to remain a legitimate requirement in Wales – you can see full details with that, and the limited exceptions, by visiting this site. The alterations were announced on Wednesday as Wales confirmed more than 1,100 new positive coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period. For the latest live updates and reaction visit here.
This is everything Mr Drakeford said in his address:
"Prynhawn da.
"Appreciate joining me today once we complete the latest three-week review of the coronavirus regulations.
"We have also published an up-to-date Coronavirus Control Plan, which sets out the way we will remain safe over the summer.
"There is a lot of detail to cover this afternoon.
"There is no doubt we are experiencing the predicted third wave of infections.
"Cases of coronavirus happen to be rising sharply since the end of May in Wales, driven by the new Delta variant. This is now the dominant strain from the virus here, in the rest of the UK, as well as in many areas of Europe.
"Although cases are high – at 145 cases per 100,000 people in Wales – right now the good news is that we're not seeing this translate into a lot of people becoming seriously ill or needing hospital treatment. And thankfully the number of people dying remains really low. Nevertheless our thoughts continue to be with all anyone who has lost a family member to this terrible virus.
"Because the chief medical officer said on Monday we're increasingly confident our high vaccination rate has weakened the link between infections, severe illness, and hospitalisation.
"Weakened although not broken. There is still a risk we're able to see considerable harms in this third wave.
"Direct harms from the virus itself, including from long Covid, and wider harms as large numbers of people are off work self-isolating and from the impact of restrictions.
"Four weeks ago we paused changes towards the restrictions to pay attention to vaccinating as many people as possible. Over this period we've sent over fifty percent a million doses of vaccine in to the NHS. By the start of now we'd vaccinated almost 400,000 more people with either 1st or 2nd doses – nearly all these have been second doses.
"Our vaccination programme has been doing an admirable job and we have excellent take-up rates, helping to change the relationship with the virus.
"But we need more and more people to become vaccinated – one in four adults under 40 have yet to possess a jab and it is this age bracket where there has been high levels of infection at the moment. Our capability to release restrictions will depend in part on having high rates of vaccination in this age bracket. Please come forward and have your vaccine – it's rarely past too far to become vaccinated in Wales.
"I will turn now to the review. We have carefully checked out all the evidence and data and we have the headroom to accomplish the alert level one alterations in indoor places, that have been paused a month ago.
"This slide shows the alterations we're making. From July 17:
- Up to six individuals will have the ability to meet indoors in private homes and in overnight accommodation.
- Organised indoor events for up to 1,000 people seated or 200 people standing can happen carrying out a risk assessment.
- Ice rinks can re-open.
"The regulations will even switch to allow up to 30 children from organisations, like the Urdd, Brownies and Scouts, to go to residential activity centres over the summer holidays.
"But we are able to go a step further outdoors. We'll take away the limits on the number of people who are able to gather outdoors and there will be more flexibility around social distancing from July 17.
"We're doing this because all of the scientific evidence says the chance of transmission outdoors is much less than indoors and also at the same time we want us all to take advantage of summer.
"This is Wales' initial step in to the new alert level zero.
"We'll transfer to alert level zero inside a phased way – outdoors first on July 17 and, if the public health situation allows, we will complete the move ahead August 7.
"This will let us continue to increase vaccination coverage – we anticipate 85% of adults in Wales will have had both doses by the time we reach alert level zero.
"The brand new alert level zero has been designed to maximise your own freedoms.
"There won't be any legal limits on the number of people who can meet, including in private homes, public places, or at events and all businesses and premises is going to be open, including nightclubs.
"However this is not a free-for-all – in Wales we won't abandon those simple but effective measures which have helped to stay all safe. There will continue to be some important protections to help keep all of us safe, particularly those who're clinically vulnerable and who're probably the most anxious about an easing of restrictions.
"We will still ensure employers protect workers and customers – coronavirus risk assessments will still be a legitimate requirement for every business, employers, and event organisers and reasonable measures will have to be set up based on the risks identified.
"People should continue to work from home whenever we can. And face coverings will still be a legal requirement in indoor public places, aside from education and hospitality settings, at alert level zero. We'll gradually ease these because the public health risk decreases.
"We will make two further changes towards the rules – in regards to the need to self-isolate if you've been fully vaccinated.
"I deeply regret the UK Government's decision to get rid of the requirement for adults who have been fully vaccinated to self-isolate when returning from amber list countries.
"The chance of importing a new variant from the virus is real but we have no practical alternative but to follow. It might be untenable for Wales to consider a different border health policy.
"Everyone returning from an amber-list county must take a PCR test on the second day plus they shouldn't visit a hospital or care home on their own return home.
"Under-18s may also be exempt in the have to self-isolate on return from an amber-list country. These changes can come into effect from July 19.
"Our recommendation hasn't changed – we still advise against basically essential travel abroad. This is actually the year to holiday in your own home.
"Finally, next month, we will take away the requirement of people who are fully vaccinated to self-isolate if they are a detailed contact of someone that has tested positive. You will see additional safeguards in place for those who operate in health and social care settings.
"But if you've the signs of coronavirus or you test positive you will need to self-isolate whether you have been fully vaccinated or not.
"These changes can come into force within the next three-week review cycle.
"It is really an important set of changes which move us from the complex and changing legal restrictions we have been living with for so long to control the pandemic.
"Once we do so everything we all do allows us to to keep coronavirus in check. The pandemic isn't over yet and we all have to interact and protect each other from coronavirus. The easiest method to do this is to make sure we've all been vaccinated.
"But the small things we've been doing: washing our hands, meeting outdoors, minimising our social contacts, keeping our distance, keeping indoor spaces well ventilated, wearing a face covering in indoor public places, and working from home is going to be even more important.
"Together we are able to do that. Together we can keep Wales safe.
"Diolch o galon i chi gyd and please enjoy the summer in front of us.
"I will take questions from journalists so that as usual all of the answers is going to be broadcast on our social media."
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