Summary

  • First Minister Mark Drakeford is delivering a briefing on the Welsh government's latest review of coronavirus restrictions

  • Fans will be allowed back in stadiums, and the rule of six and social distancing will end outdoors for pubs and restaurants

  • It is the second part of a three-week roadmap to scrap restrictions imposed because of the Omicron variant

  • Speaking ahead of his briefing, Mr Drakeford said the UK government had "long abandoned any sense of following the science"

  • Wales has passed the peak of the Omicron wave, Mr Drakeford says

  • Case rates in Wales are falling faster than anywhere else in the UK but the country is "by no means out of the woods", first minister says

  • Night clubs will be able to re-open and working from home will become guidance from next Friday if the Covid situation allows

  • Self-isolation rules will remain in place for everyone who tests positive for Covid, Mr Drakeford confirms

  • The first minister's comments about the prime minister are "uncalled for and opportunistic", Welsh Secretary Simon Hart says

  • Plaid Cymru calls for a vaccination push, while the Welsh Conservatives said Wales have the worst Covid mortality rate

Live Reporting

Thamayanthi McAllister and Caleb Spencer

  1. Fall of case rate in Wales fastest in UK

    First Minister Mark Drakeford says the latest results from the ONS Infection Survey suggests Wales had a lower rate of infection than anywhere else in the UK.

    He said up to the end of last week, the ONS estimated levels of coronavirus were falling in Wales, England and Scotland.

    "The rate of decline in Wales is the fastest anywhere in the United Kingdom," he said.

    "One in 25 people in Wales were infected, compared to around one in 20 in the other three nations. He also said there was a "gap" between Wales and Scotland together and England “where there were fewer protections in place".

  2. We have passed the peak of Omicron - Drakeford

    First Minister Mark Drakeford says the covid situation has "improved significantly" after "many difficult and worrying weeks".

    Speaking at the Welsh government's coronavirus briefing, Mr Drakeford said: "We can say confidently today that we have passed this peak of the omicron wave and the incredibly high levels of infections we have seen across Wales.

    Last night he confirmed that pubs and restaurants in Wales could now operate outdoors without the rule of six or social distancing and all limits on sports events had been scrapped meaning thousands of fans can return to watch fixtures across the country.

    He told the briefing that the relaxations could go ahead because Covid cases per 100,000 were now at around 500 after peaking at just over 2,300 before Christmas.

  3. Your guide to the easing of Covid rules in Wales

    Today is the second stage of the Welsh government's road map to alert level 0 restrictions in Wales.

    First Minister Mark Drakeford has made clear the further easing of restrictions is dependent on the Covid situation at the time.

    Covid poster roadmap easing

  4. 'UK government is abandoning the science'

    Drakeford (l) Boris JohnsonGetty Images

    First minister Mark Drakeford has said the UK government had "long abandoned any sense of following the science".

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Plan B Covid measures in England would be removed.

    Mr Drakeford told BBC Breakfast: "We've always taken a different approach in Wales, one that does things step-by-step in line with the science."

  5. Good afternoon!

    People socialisingGetty Images

    Croeso - welcome,

    This lunchtime we will be bringing you live updates as First Minister Mark Drakeford delivers a briefing on the Covid rule changes in Wales.

    Here are some of the main points we know already:

    • From today, all limits on outdoor activities have been scrapped with crowds able to return to sporting events
    • From next Friday, 28 January, Wales will move to alert zero so nightclubs can reopen and the rule of six will be scrapped in pubs and restaurants. However, Covid passes will still be required for large events, plus cinemas, nightclubs and theatres. It also means the two-metre rule will be dropped
    • From Thursday, 10 February, Wales returns to a three-week review cycle rather than weekly in response to the Omicron variant

    You can read more here.