Welsh hospitality given reopening roadmap including date for outdoor reopening

Outdoor hospitality in Wales is hoped to reopen on 26 April, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced, as long as coronavirus cases continue falling.

Drakeford has set out a series of measures that will take Wales into Alert Level 3 by 17 May, with all children and students in Wales set to return to face-to-face education on 12 April.

All remaining non-essential retail and close contact services will also be allowed to reopen from 12 April, while the rules will also be changed to allow travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and Common Travel Area. Viewings at wedding venues can also resume by appointment from this date.

The Welsh government said it aimed to confirm the reopening of outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality services, including at cafés, pubs and restaurants on 26 April at the 22 April review.

From 3 May organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can again take place as well as outdoor wedding receptions for no more than 30 people. From 10 May gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen, including individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes.

The reopening of indoor hospitality and visitor accommodation is not expected until after 17 May but is hoped to reopen in advance of the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May.

A small number of outdoor pilot events of between 200 and 1,000 people are being planned, including cultural and sports events and a potential stadia event. The Welsh government is also working with the Muslim Council to consider how they can also incorporate events to help people celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan.

Drakeford said: “Thanks to a real team effort across Wales, coronavirus cases remain stable, and the vaccination programme continues apace. As a result, the Welsh government has the headroom to continue its careful, step-by-step approach to relaxing restrictions.

“The review we have concluded this week, means we can continue with our programme of further reopening of the economy and loosening the restrictions in place.”

Dave Chapman, UKHospitality Cymru’s executive director, said: "It's great to have some of the clarity for which UKHospitality Cymru has been asking Welsh Government for some months now: dates for outdoor hospitality, attractions, gyms and other related activities.

“However, we believe non-alignment with England will cause confusion over opening, encourage cross border travelling and damage our competitive offer by driving away eager customers. It would be a smoother and more sensible route for indoor hospitality to be opened in line with England on 17 May.

“In addition, the timelines show that we could be shut for another seven weeks or so and so more vital funding will be required to help keep jobs and our businesses afloat. We are in constant discussions with Welsh government over additional support and appeal to them to ensure that the effect of the backing we have had to date is not jeopardised by failing to top up assistance in this period."

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