Covid inquiry: Timeline of the pandemic in Wales

Masks became a common sight at the height of the pandemic

Here is the timeline for Covid-19 as it unfolded in Wales - with 30 key dates.

The first cases of the virus were confirmed in the UK in late January 2020 and events unfolded rapidly. It would be three years before the pandemic was declared over - although Covid is still with us.

We have reached the point when the Covid inquiry is coming to Wales to gather evidence on how the health emergency was handled here.

Here is a look back at some of the key stages of the pandemic.

28 February 2020 First case in Wales confirmed - a test taken in Swansea the day before, by a person returning from northern Italy, where the virus had already taken hold.

15 March First death from Covid in Wales, a 68-year-old Wrexham hospital patient. Two days before, the Wales v Scotland rugby match in Cardiff was postponed and Wales' chief medical officer warned of the need to prepare for a "significant number" of cases in the months to come.

18 March Schools in Wales close, as the Easter holiday is brought forward. They will remain open to children who are vulnerable and children of key workers who cannot be cared for at home.

23 March Prime minister's address with a stay at home message. Non-essential shops and community spaces to close and gatherings of more than two people in public are prohibited.

12 April Peak of the first wave in Wales - 73 deaths in one day. More than 730 people have died of Covid up to this point.

18 April Critical care Covid cases in hospital peak at 164 patients in ICU or on invasive ventilation.

8 May Lockdown in Wales is extended. But people can exercise more than once a day but must stay local. Garden centres can open - with social distancing.

16 May Testing is announced for all care homes, with more than 37,000 residents and staff given a weekly test. It was finally wound down in April 2022.

Wales and England's Covid rules often differed

29 May As infections ease, a "stay local" message replaces "stay at home." Wales takes a slower approach than England with First Minister Mark Drakeford saying it is "cautious and careful" - with a five-mile rule imposed for households. The death toll has passed 2,000 and police have issued nearly 1,400 fines for breaching rules.

29 June Schools in Wales to re-open, although some teaching unions criticise the decision.

6 July Travel restrictions lifted and "extended"households allowed, while shops can re-open with social distancing.

27 July Covid restrictions continue to be relaxed. Beauty salons, cinemas and museums can reopen but face masks must be worn on public transport.

4 September A cluster of cases emerges in Caerphilly, with house parties blamed by one public health official. A local lockdown is imposed, which has an initial impact on infections.

21 September An increase in the Covid alert level by all four UK chief medical officers. An estimated 10,800 people have Covid in Wales, with a jump in infections.

23 October A "firebreak" begins in Wales. People are told to stay at home and pubs, restaurants, hotels and non-essential shops had to shut.

9 November The Welsh "firebreak" ends, although after a brief impact it cannot stop cases continuing to rise. There are an estimated 35,300 infections this week. During the firebreak period, there were an average 20 deaths due to Covid each day, more than double the average in the period before.

8 December Covid vaccine roll-out begins in Wales, with care home residents and staff and the over 80s the first to receive it.

16 December As infections continue to soar, higher level restrictions for Wales are to be imposed after Christmas Day. An additional £110m support package for businesses is announced.

17 December Case rate infections reach a second wave peak of 636 per 100,000.

28 December The Office for National Statistics estimates in its own infection survey a winter peak of 173,200 people affected in Wales with Covid.

• Covid in Wales: What do the stats tell us?

• Wales' restrictions led to less Covid than England

• Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?

11 January 2021 The worst day for Covid deaths in Wales - 83 - and the peak of second wave. Since the end of the firebreak in November, nearly 2,500 people have died due to Covid.

5 February Return to face-to-face learning in schools announced for three to seven-year olds with most pupils having to learn from home since December.

12 February First vaccination programme milestone achieved, with four main priority groups having been offered a first dose. More than 750,000 have taken up the offer, nearly a quarter of the total population.

25 March "Stay local" restrictions lifted. Some accommodation and libraries can re-open, outdoor children's activities can take place and six people from households can meet outdoors.

3 May Wales moves into alert level 3. Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can take place and wedding receptions outdoors for up to 30 guests. The first minister says "sacrifices we have all made are having a positive effect in the battle against coronavirus".

14 May Restrictions ease further as Wales moves into alert level 2. Weekly infections are now estimated to be in the hundreds, not thousands. Pubs and restaurants can re-open, along with entertainment venues and all accommodation. International travel can resume under a "traffic light" system of countries.

11 October: Covid passes needed to attend large events, nightclubs and other entertainment venues, to prove that they are fully vaccinated or have tested negative. There are an estimated 70,000 people with infections each week - as the Delta variant takes hold - this will rise to 160,000 by the end of the year.

9 April 2022 Covid infections peak with estimate of 231,900 in Wales as the Omicron variant is dominant. However, 80% of the population have now been vaccinated, including nearly 69,000 12-to-15-year-olds, who were offered a dose.

5 May 2023 Covid no longer a global health emergency, says the World Health Organization

30 May End of remaining Covid restrictions.

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