Welsh nightclubs to reopen this weekend as coronavirus restrictions ease

All Welsh hospitality venues, including nightclubs, will be able to reopen from Saturday as the country moves to Covid alert level zero.

Restrictions on meeting others will be dropped and face coverings will no longer be mandatory in hospitality settings, though they will still be required in most indoor public places. It will be left up to businesses to risk assess if keeping table service is a ‘reasonable measure' for their site.

From 7 August fully vaccinated adults and those under the age of 18 in Wales will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has coronavirus.

First minister Mark Drakeford said: "Taking responsibility and working together means we can all do the things we've missed the most. We've all got a reason to keep Wales safe."

The Welsh Beer and Pub Association (WBPA) said the changes would mean over 150 pubs that were too small to trade under previous restrictions could now reopen.

WBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin called on people to support the Long Live the Local campaign to support tax cuts for pubs and breweries.

"Having been one of the worst hit sectors by Covid-19, our pubs and brewers now need the government to invest in them by reforming VAT, beer duty and business rates to reduce the unfair tax burden they face and aid their recovery," said McClarkin.

All Scottish hospitality venues can reopen from 9 August but nightclubs and conference facilities in Northern Ireland remain closed.

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