Welsh Rules

Coronavirus Regulations 

UPDATE 08/12/2021

The Welsh Government is set to review restrictions this coming week in light of the new Omnicron variant. 

ISOLATING 

New guidance states that adults who are fully vaccinated and children and young people aged 5-17 should self-isolate until they have received a negative PCR test if someone in their household has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. 

People who are not vaccinated will still have to isolate for 10 days following contact with someone who has tested positive. These people should also get a PCR test on day 2 from your last contact with the positive case, and on day 8. If the tests are negative then you still need self-isolate for the full 10-day period.

COVID Passes

The Welsh Government have announced on the 17th September that people in Wales will have to show an NHS Covid Pass to enter nightclubs and attend events in Wales.

The requirement to show an NHS Covid Pass will come into force from 11th October, and will mean all over 18s will need to have an NHS Covid Pass to enter –

  • From November 15 - the cinema, theatres or concert halls. 
  • Nightclubs and similar venues
  • Indoor, non-seated events for more than 500 people, such as concerts or conventions, where people are mixing closely for prolonged periods
  • Outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people, where people will be mixing closely for prolonged periods
  • Any setting or event, of any nature, with more than 10,000 people in attendance

People who are fully vaccinated in Wales can download the NHS Covid Pass to show and share their vaccine status, as well as show their negative lateral flow test result within the last 48 hours.

Face coverings

Everyone over the age of 12 must wear face-coverings in indoor public places. This includes in public transport, in retail settings and in social care settings such as at the doctor's or in hospital.

Face coverings will not be a legal requirement in hospitality settings, like restaurants, pubs and cafes. Those businesses may encourage you to wear a face covering however. 

Roadmap 

Wearing face coverings is still a legal requirement in almost all indoor public places, including on almost all public transport and in shops and health and social care settings. The use of face coverings in education will be determined at a local level.

If you receive a positive test result you must still self-isolate for 10 days and follow the stay at home guidance. All other unvaccinated household members (if over the age of 18) are advised to self-isolate at the same time and take a PCR test. If the test s negative you can stop self-isolating. Children under 5 are no longer advised to take a test.  

Further details:

Socialising

  • There are no legal limits on the number of people who can meet at your home, public places and events. 
  • For indoor care home visits, only two designated visitors are allowed at any one time with the permission of the care home. The guidance also clarifies that visits may take place in residents’ rooms, if preferred, as well as in a designated visiting space. 
  • Most businesses, workplaces and other places are still likely to require some degree of physical distancing. There is still a legal requirement for such places to take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

Weddings 

  • Numbers of people attending weddings is based upon a risk assessment by venues, with numbers allowed to attend being based upon how many can safely be accommodated depending on size and space. 
  • The bride and groom do not have to wear masks when walking down the aisle, exchanging vows, or for their first kiss and first dance.
  • No physical contact is allowed unless you are in the same bubble. 
  • Other rules include only the bride and groom being able to take part in the first dance, no other dancing is allowed.
  • Social distancing and masks should be worn when people are not seated or eating. 
  • Loud music at weddings is not allowed, and if there is live music, performers should be social distanced, and brass and wind instruments should not be used. 
  • The congregation are allowed to sing along. 
  • In regards to wedding photographs, they should be taken outdoors where possible, and close group shots are not allowed unless from members within the same household bubble. Masks can be removed for photographs providing it is for photos of only themselves. 

Travel 

  • As of 31 August passengers arriving in Wales from abroad will no longer have to do a PCR test and can instead take a lateral flow test. 
  • As of 4am on 1 November, there are no countries on the UK Government's red list. There is no longer an amber list, only simplified version of red list. You can find rules for travellers arriving from a red list https://gov.wales/travelling-wales-red-list-country-coronavirus. 
  • Further information on travelling abroad and what you need to do for arriving back in Wales can be found at https://gov.wales/rules-foreign-travel-and-wales-coronavirus-covid-19 
  • There are no restrictions in place for travel into or out of Wales as long as you are travelling to or from a country within the UK or wider Common Travel Area (Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).

Business support

  • An additional £150 million will be available to support businesses to the end of March, which are not yet able to open.
  • The extra funding will see businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates qualify for an additional payment of up to £5,000.

Retail and close-contact services

  • All non-essential retail is allowed to open. 
  • All close-contact services such as beauty parlours and hairdressers are allowed to open. 
  • Retailers have been asked to ensure that people are wearing their masks indoors. 

Work

  • The Welsh Government is still encouraging people to work from home where possible. However, people who are able to work safely in their workplace are allowed to go into work. 
  • Businesses, employers and organisations including event organisers are encouraged to undertake a bespoke coronavirus risk assessment of their premises and activities and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to, and the spread of coronavirus based on this (Welsh Government)

Transport 

  • Public transport is still able to operate, however bus and rail timetables have been reduced. Face coverings must be worn at all times on public transport. 

Further Information