Cautious approach to coronavirus protections to continue

Wales will continue to gradually relax some of its remaining pandemic protections, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today.

From Monday, face coverings will no longer be required by law in retail settings and on public transport, though they will continue to be recommended in public health advice.

And the requirement to self-isolate will also move into guidance. A £500 self-isolation payment to support people will continue to be available until June.

However, two key legal protections will remain in place as coronavirus cases have risen sharply in recent weeks, driven by the BA.2 sub-type of the omicron variant.

Face coverings will remain a legal requirement in health and social care settings and coronavirus risk assessments must continue to be carried out by businesses, with reasonable measures put in place in light of those assessments.

The next three-weekly review of coronavirus regulations will be carried out by 14 April, when the remaining legal measures will be reviewed.