Wales' Covid rules are staying the same for the next three weeks.
First Minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement as he revealed the results of the Welsh Government's latest lockdown review. He thanked people for their part in getting case rates down, but warned that the pandemic was not over and a fourth wave was sweeping across Europe, with many countries introducing stricter restrictions once again.
There had been some suggestion that hospitality venues, like bars and restaurants, should use the time between the last review and this one to prepare for Covid Passes to be needed in their venues. However, the Welsh Government has decided that this step is not yet required.
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It means Wales remains at Alert Level zero - or Covid stable. The next review is due on December 10 and would cover the Christmas period.
The latest data for Wales, released earlier today, showed 2,417 new cases and 17 further deaths, bringing the total to 6,314.
The most recent change in Covid rules came into force on Monday, November 15, extending the places that Covid Passes need to be used.
The pass has to be used if you are aged 18 and over and are attending:
- Nightclubs and similar venues
- Unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people in the audience
- Any outdoor or indoor unseated venues with a capacity over 4,000
- Any event, of any nature, which has more than 10,000 people in attendance
- Cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
Cases in Wales continue to fluctuate with infection rates rising for the last seven days. You can read the story of one family's loss here.
The latest seven-day infection rate across Wales, based on the cases for every 100,000 people (for the seven days up to November 12) now stands at 498 – a rise from the 491.5 reported on Tuesday. It's creeping back towards 500, nearly a week after the seven-day infection rate went down below this number for the first time since early October.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Three weeks ago we were facing a very serious situation in Wales, but everyone has pulled together and cases have fallen back from those record high levels. I want to thank everyone for their hard work and the steps they have taken to protect themselves and their loved ones.
"Saying yes to the vaccine and crucially to the booster remains an essential step to help keep Wales safe.
"As we start to plan for Christmas we need to keep on working together to bring coronavirus under control. The pandemic hasn’t gone away – a fourth wave is sweeping across Europe, with many countries introducing stricter restrictions once again.
"We will do everything we can to keep Wales open and to keep Wales safe. This means keeping the option of extending the use of the Covid Pass if cases rise again and pandemic pressures on the NHS increase, to help keep the hospitality sector open and trading through the busy festive period.
"We will continue to monitor the public health situation and we will work with the hospitality sector as we prepare for Christmas. Let’s keep working together to keep each other safe – so we can all enjoy Christmas together.”
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