Meeting more than 30 people indoors will be considered an offence as the Welsh Government announce strict new rules to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
In a government briefing today, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that it would be an offence to meet large groups in private homes and gardens after Christmas.
From Boxing Day, December 26, people will not be permitted to meet more than 30 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
Read more: Live updates as Mark Drakeford announces new coronavirus restrictions for Wales
The Welsh Government has not created any regulations around mixing in people’s private homes, including gardens, in holiday accommodation or meeting outdoors but have instead issued guidance.
The First Minister said:“ We are facing a very serious situation in Wales. A wave of infections caused by the new, fast-moving and very-infectious omicron variant is headed our way.
“This new form of coronavirus could infect large numbers of people in Wales, disrupting daily lives and businesses and could cause an increase in the number of people who need hospital care in the coming weeks.
“We will do everything we can to protect people’s health and livelihoods in Wales – this means taking early action to try and control its spread.
“We are changing the rules for businesses and some public spaces, where lots of different people mix daily and issuing strong and clear advice to help people stay safe in their own private homes and when meeting others.”
These changes come as the Welsh Government announce new coronavirus regulations in an attempt to stop the spread of the Omicron variant.
From 6am on December 26, Wales will move to a revised verision of alert level two restrictions. Wales is currently at level zero.
The regulations bring back measures in hospitality businesses, including licensed premises, and in cinemas and theatres when they re-open after the festive period.
From Boxing Day, the alert level two measures will mean:
A general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable.
The rule of six will apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
All licensed premises will need to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details.
Face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated.
Large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event will be 30 and 50 outdoors.
There will be an exception for team sports, up to 50 spectators will be able to gather, in addition to those taking part.
There will be a separate offence for large gatherings – more than 30 people indoors or 50 people outdoors – in private homes and gardens.
It had previously been announced that new restrictions would be brought in from Monday, December 27 in Wales. From then on nightclubs across the country will have to close, while extra safety measures will be put in place across other industries. These have now been brought forward.
The First Minister added: “The most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves against omicron is to be fully vaccinated – that means also having the booster. If you are eligible for a booster then please make getting it a priority in the coming weeks.
“As we enter our second winter of the pandemic, we have high vaccination coverage and tens of thousands of extra boosters are being given every day.
“We also have access to the rapid lateral flow tests to help us all identify signs of infection without symptoms.
“Both of these, together with everything we have learned over the last two years will help to keep us safe at home without the need for new rules and regulations about mixing at home.”
£120m will be available for nightclubs, retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by the move to alert level two – double the new £60m package announced last week.
The Economy Minister will announce further details tomorrow, Thursday December 23.
Wales now has more than 600 identified cases of the Omicron variant, according to latest figures from Public Health Wales.
On Tuesday the NHS trust confirmed that 204 more cases had been found to take the total to 640.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board now has nearly 150 cases, the most of any health board, followed by Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB and Swansea Bay UHB.
Dr Meng Khaw, national director for health protection and screening services for Public Health Wales, said: "Public Health Wales is today (Tuesday 21 December) confirming 204 new cases of Omicron variant in Wales, bringing us to a total of 640 cases.
"As we have indicated previously, a rapid increase over the coming days and weeks is expected.”
Based on the latest PHW data, Omicron is spreading fastest in Swansea Bay health board area, with a 65% jump in the number of Omicron cases in the last 24 hours.
The seven-day infection rate is rising quickly, having jumped sharply over the weekend and reaching 575 cases per 100,000 population on Tuesday.
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