Covid in Wales: Lockdown review 'will give hospitality certainty'

Wales' first minister will set out the next steps for reopening society on Thursday to give hospitality "the certainty that it's looking for".

But Mark Drakeford warned he would not give "false assurances too far into the future" as non-essential retailers, gyms and tourism sector hope to reopen.

He said he would set out "the prospectus through the whole of April and into May".

But he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show it was "inherently an uncertain time".

Mr Drakeford said he hoped people would be able to enjoy outdoor hospitality by the end of April but meeting indoors would "likely have to wait until May".

"At the moment things are heading in the right direction, but we know how quickly this virus can change, and I'm not prepared to give people false assurances too far into the future," he said.

On Saturday, Wales became the first UK nation to lift travel restrictions within its borders.

The Welsh government's outline of the next steps in its Coronavirus Control Plan says, on Thursday, it will set out restrictions to be lifted from 12 April, namely a full return to schools, colleges and other education, all shops to open as well as close contact services, such as nail salons and tattooists.

In the next three-week review cycle, which will be outlined on 22 April, the Welsh government will consider reopening outdoor hospitality, as well as gyms, outdoor attractions, weddings, community centres, organised activities and restrictions on extended households.

All changes will be subject to the public health situation continuing to improve.

Visitors at Cardiff's Roath Park said they were looking forward to more rules being relaxed but they also had concerns.

Jacqueline Webster, who is due to have her second Covid vaccine on Thursday, said it would be "nice to get a bit more freedom" but she was a "bit nervous".

"It all depends on how sensible people are," she said.

"We're all going to be like a bull at a gate. Are people going to abide by the rules?"

Christine Newland said it had been a "difficult" time as she lived alone.

"The only thing that bothers is the crowds of people because people only have to be given a slight hint that there might be a bit of an easing and they suddenly all flock everywhere and that bothers me," she said.

Osian Rhys, however, said he was "worried about false hope".

"I run a theatre company and we went out of lockdown, started rehearsing again, then went back into lockdown and had to postpone another show," he said.

"You don't want to get your hopes up just to get back in again. Hopefully, if things carry on as they are, I am looking forward to it."

Mr Drakeford told Marr that he would be meeting with the other three UK governments on Tuesday to discuss the issue of vaccine passports.

He said: "I think there are definitely prizes to be won through domestic vaccine certification, but there are some very big practical and ethical challenges to face as well.

"I don't say that these problems can't be solved. But I am saying that we've got to work together to make sure that if we are to introduce such a system, it has to be fair, and it has to be reliable."

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Labour have been all over the shop when it comes to providing a road map out of lockdown in Wales.

"One minute it's too difficult for Labour, now they're saying more information is to follow.

"Labour need to stop playing politics, and focus on what's best for families, workers and businesses in Wales.

"We've been calling for a roadmap for the past month as these are people's lives and livelihoods Labour have been messing with and it's simply not good enough.

"Welsh Conservatives will end the political games and provide Welsh families, workers and businesses with a detailed roadmap out of lockdown."

Plaid Cymru said businesses still had not been given the degree of certainty required to plan.

"What notice period, for example, have they been given in advance of any changes?" said Plaid leader Adam Price.

"Businesses still haven't been given the degree of certainty required to plan.

"Secondly, the Welsh Government has said that it's not going to provide any additional support to businesses after 1 April until beyond the election.

"That contrasts with the situation in England and Scotland and goes against what the Welsh Government themselves have said previously."

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said businesses like the hospitality and tourism sector needed "time lines" and a sense that "things will change".

"These are people and businesses that have been waiting such a long time to try and get going again," she said.

"So we do need some form of certainty with some dates on the condition, of course, that if things worsen or change then the dates can change."