{"id":61996,"date":"2022-02-11T12:05:56","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T12:05:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=61996"},"modified":"2022-02-11T12:11:27","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T12:11:27","slug":"covid-passes-and-masks-to-be-phased-out-by-end-of-month-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/02\/11\/covid-passes-and-masks-to-be-phased-out-by-end-of-month-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Covid passes and masks to be phased out by end of month in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Restrictions continue to ease but here are the measures that will remain in place during February<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COVID passes and the need to wear face coverings in certain venues are set to be scrapped later this month, the Welsh Government has announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From February 18, there will be no legal requirement to show domestic Covid passes to enter indoor or outdoor events including nightclubs, cinemas, and theatres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, venues can still choose to use them, and the international Covid pass restrictions will remain in force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Monday, February 28, the need to wear face coverings in most public places, including gyms, cinemas, and churches, will be lifted but they will still be required on public transport, and in all shops and health and care settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the same day, schools will return to using their local decision framework, with rules varying from area to area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The self-isolation rules remain the same, meaning anyone who tests positive with Covid must isolate at home for five days and take a negative lateral flow test on days five and six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething is addressing the public at midday today in place of First Minister Mark Drakeford who tested positive for Covid yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The address is expected to provide further information on Wales\u2019s next steps to removing all remaining domestic restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, England is set to go one step further by removing from February 24 the legal requirement to self-isolate if a person tests positive for Covid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland and Scotland are yet to announce plans to remove Covid passes and face masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes to Welsh Covid-19 restrictions come at a time in which cases are falling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the ONS: \u201cIn Wales, the percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 decreased in the week ending February 5, 2022; we estimate that 121,200 people in Wales had Covid-19, equating to around 1 in 25 people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next review of the Covid-19 regulations in Wales will take place on March 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n