The reopening of the retail and close contact sectors in Wales will be staggered over the coming weeks say sources ahead of the Welsh Government update.
Groups were last week reporting positivity about the 21 day review on Friday with hopes wide parts of the retail and close contact sectors in Wales could reopen by March 15.
But this week has seen UK's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty warn that unlocking too quickly would lead to a substantial surge in Covid infections. This is despite the success of the vaccination programme in Wales and the wider UK.
Wales health minister Vaughan Gething has also cautioned that the more transmissible Kent variant meant Welsh Government were having to change the figures in the Alert plan - which currently point to a substantial easing in restrictions.
Sources said they had felt a change in positivity this week towards reopening and nervousness about retail in Wales being so far ahead of England - where shops are due to reopen on April 12.
There were concerns this would encourage cross border travel from England where a stay a home message remains in place until March 29.
They now understand that a staggered approach will be introduced that will mean many shops will not reopen until April to tie in with the approach from UK Government.
A source said they were expecting the retail sector to be left disappointed.
But they did add that they understood more concrete dates would now be provided.
Final decisions are being made by the Welsh Government cabinet today.
Any changes will be confirmed by the First Minister Mark Drakeford at the coronavirus briefing at 12.15pm on Friday.
He will also unveil a new funding package for businesses left in lockdown with an extra £150m of support.
