Sports crowds and outdoor events set to return as the phased easing of Covid rules continues
FANS are being welcomed back into stadiums and outdoor events are restarting in Cardiff after Wales lifted more coronavirus restrictions on Friday.
The move will be especially welcomed by rugby fans, as it means they will be able to watch Wales’ attempt to defend their Six Nations title in person.
From January 21, all limits on the number of people who can take part in outdoor activities will be removed, and crowds will be allowed at sporting events.
The changes are the latest step in the Welsh government’s roadmap to Alert Level 0, with the next stage seeing nightclubs reopening and the rule of six in hospitality venues removed from January 28.
“I’m very glad that fans are able to watch the games back in the stadium,” said Wales fan Tom Moore, 21.
“The Welsh crowd is known worldwide and is a 16th man on the team – I think we would underperform without them.”
The ban on crowds at sporting events had led to fears that Wales’ home games would have to be played in England, a move that could have cost the Cardiff economy an estimated £20 million.
Other sporting events that have been in hibernation are also returning, with the JD Cymru League resuming its programme in full today.
Cardiff’s Parkrun, a free community five kilometre run that has become a local hit, will also be returning on Saturday in Bute Park after being controversially called off while restrictions were in place.
“The latest figures show we have passed the Omicron peak and we can continue to lift the Alert Level 2 protections as part of our careful and phased plan”, said Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.
“We are in this position thanks to the efforts of everyone in Wales and our fantastic vaccination programme. It is important that everyone continues to follow the rules and the guidance to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including taking up the offer of a booster vaccine if they haven’t already done so.”
Speaking on Friday, The First Minister also praised the efforts of health services and the public in quickly suppressing the Omicron wave.
“Sadly the pandemic is not over- Covid is still with us,” he said. “But what we have seen over the last few days means we can look forward to the future with hope, and better and brighter days are ahead of us.
“I want to thank everyone over these difficult weeks who have helped bring the Omicron wave to a short end.”
The government’s staggered approach to the lifting of restrictions has drawn criticism from some quarters, with the Welsh Conservatives calling for the country to reopen as soon as possible.
“Despite the detailed scientific evidence from South Africa, Labour ministers have clearly overacted to Omicron, and that has caused significant pain and anguish for families and businesses in Wales,” said Welsh Conservative leader Andrew T Davies.
“Sadly, Labour have left Wales as an outlier in the United Kingdom with the strictest restrictions when it comes to sport, outdoor activity and hospitality.”
The latest Public Health Wales data shows that 2,347,972 people have received at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with nearly 2 million individuals also receiving a booster jab.
It supports suggestions that the Omicron wave is in retreat. Daily Covid cases, which peaked at a pandemic-high 16,252 in late December, are down significantly, with Wales recording just 2,768 cases and 21 deaths last week.
