That's it from Wales' live page today, thankyou for joining us.

Here are the main points from the day so far:

• Wales' remaining Covid laws, including on face coverings and self-isolation, could be scrapped by the end of March
• From Friday, 18 February, it will no longer be a legal requirement to show a Covid pass in Wales
• Masks will no longer have to be “routinely” worn in classrooms after half-term
• The law requiring face coverings in most public places will be relaxed
• Self isolation rules will remain in place in Wales
• Ending free lateral flow tests would be a "significant mistake", according to Vaughan Gething

Rules on face masks are being relaxed and Covid passes will no longer be needed.

Wales remains at alert level zero, external, the lowest level of Covid rules.

Rules limiting socialising in pubs, bars and restaurants have already been removed and nightclubs are able to open, as social distancing rules were scrapped.

From 18 February, Covid passes for entertainment venues, nightclubs and large events will no longer be needed.

And from 28 February, pupils will not have to wear face masks in class.

Also from 28 February, the law requiring face coverings in most public places will be relaxed.

However, they will still be needed in shops, public transport, hairdressers, salons and health and social care.

A theatre boss said checking passes slowed down the process of getting audiences inside.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre director Dafydd Rhys said: "It is good news that the pandemic is under such control and that the Welsh government feel confident that the Covid passes will no longer be required after February 18th.

"It is great news for venues across Wales, there is no doubt about that, as it did add to our costs in terms of human resources, as more staff were needed to check the passes et cetera.

"And it slowed down the whole process for people coming to the theatre or the auditorium.”

The number of patients in hospital with Covid has levelled out in the last week in Wales.

There was a rolling average of 522 hospital patients with confirmed Covid on Thursday, down slightly (7%) on a week ago - suggesting patient numbers have flattened out.

When we include patients with suspected Covid and those recovering from Covid, there are an average of 1,116 patients.

They make up 12.8% of all hospital patients.

The devolved nations were "ambushed" by the UK government's announcement on ending rules early according to the Welsh government.

Wales economy minister, Vaughan Gething, said: "The prime minister didn't speak to the first minister before going into the preamble for prime minister's questions and announcing a move that took many people by surprise."

Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd said it was "good to see there is this trajectory playing out in front of us" on the easing of Covid restrictions.

"It's something that we've always advocated, in terms of a steady as she goes approach," the Senedd member said.

"The last thing we should do really is dip for the finishing line too soon," Mr Gruffydd warned.

"It is tempting, isn't it? Because we feel as if we're getting there. But we mustn't just fall flat on our faces and regret any mistakes.

"I think we owe it to the doctors and the nurses and the carers, who sacrificed so much, not to throw away the gains that we made in recent months."

Crystal shop owner Caitlin Jones is OK with the requirement for masks remaining.

Ms Jones, who runs Dylan’s Den, in Aberystwyth, said: “It’s a personal preference to wear a mask and as long as people are still being careful and wary.

"As a business we don’t mind that the requirement to wear masks in shops stays as long as staff are protected and we can keep trading.”

Holiday giant Tui said the outlook for summer and the renewed appetite for package travel continues to look "extremely positive".

It said demand for Greece and Turkey and long haul favourites the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico, are now back to pre-Covid levels.

"Many of our customers, including families, are preferring to book destinations where the entry requirements are currently less strict," a spokesman told the BBC.

Image source, Reuters

Hairdresser Kim Greenhouse was looking to the easing of Covid restrictions.

She said: “It’s incredibly exciting that we could be possibly seeing the end of the pandemic coming towards us.

"It’s been really hard as it gets really hot and stuffy in the salon and it will be nice if we can finally take off the masks, but obviously we are more than happy to carry on as we are if it keeps the safety of our customers and staff together and we all come out of this safely.

"It is all that matters to us.”

The Welsh Conservatives' Sam Rowlands said it was “good to see restrictions starting to be removed”.

The north Wales Senedd member said his party would have liked to have seen these removed quicker.

“We absolutely welcomed the removal of Covid passes but they shouldn’t have been there in the first place," he said.

Mr Rowlands said he’d like more detail from the Welsh government on what was going to be happening with potentially removing further restrictions at the end of March.

“I’m not sure how solid it is," he said.

"It would be nice to get firm commitment from the minister”.

Wales' economy minister Vaughan Gething has said he will keep wearing a face mask because "it's the right thing to do."

The requirement to wear them in indoor public places apart from shops, public transport and health and care settings will be removed from 28 February.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK economy improved last year with growth of 7.5% despite falling back in December due to Omicron restrictions, official figures show.

It was the fastest pace of growth since 1941, although it came after a dramatic 9.4% collapse in 2020 as the pandemic forced parts of the economy to shut.

In December, the economy shrank 0.2% as Omicron restrictions hit the hospitality and retail sectors.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the economy had been "remarkably resilient".

Image source, Getty Images

Ending free Lateral Flow Tests would be a "really significant mistake", Vaughan Gething warned.

There have been reports the UK government is considering such a move.

The economy minister said any such decision should be "on the back of discussion between the governments [of the UK] but also properly informed public health advice".

That advice should be made available to the public "so they know this isn't simply being driven by a penny-pinching chancellor and it's actually all about doing the right thing at that stage", he said.

The final Covid restrictions could be lifted by the end of March if supported by science and public health experts, economy minister Vaughan Gething said.

A decision on scrapping rules on wearing masks in shops and on buses or trains could come in three weeks’ time.

“That of course depends on the evidence at the time and on the expert public health advice that we get,” he said.

“We will only take that step if it’s a proportionate thing to do, and if we have public health advice to support doing so.

“That’s the approach we have always taken and that stands in contrast to other approaches that are available in different parts of the UK.”

Rugby fans still need a Covid pass to watch Wales v Scotland on Saturday.

Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: "Make sure you have downloaded or printed your pass before going to the Principality Stadium."

Mr Gething said he will be among the crowd.

Economy minister Vaughan Gething said the Welsh government was "being honest about the fact that this really is supported by the latest public health advice".

Mr Gething said he thinks "lots of people" will continue to wear face coverings when they are no longer legally required to do so.

"We know from the polling evidence that not only is the gradual approach of the Welsh government supported by people in Wales in overwhelming numbers, but a majority of people in England prefer the Welsh approach too," he said.

"If anything people are more concerned that we're moving too quickly.

"So this is about moving in time, with the advice we get, taking the public with us."

The Welsh government has "carefully considered the rules around self-isolation," according to economy minister Vaughan Gething.

"These will remain in place in Wales," he said.

"Self-isolation is an important way of breaking the chain of transmission of the virus and preventing more people from becoming infected."

Currently people have to self-isolate for five days if they test positive. In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he's considering ending the five-day isolation rule later this month.

Face masks will no longer have to be “routinely” worn in classrooms after half-term.

Economy minister Vaughan Gething said schools “should plan to return to operating in line with the local decisions framework immediately after half-term.

“Face coverings will no longer be routinely required in classrooms but they should continue to be worn in communal areas in secondary schools”.

Changes to the rules on face masks have been outlined.

“From 28 February, we will remove the requirement for face coverings to be worn in indoor public places, apart from in retail, on public transport and in health and care settings.

“We have also updated our guidance to make it clear that adults can remove their face coverings when they are interacting with babies and small children at baby and toddler groups.

“If the public health situation continues to improve, we hope to be able to remove the requirement to wear face coverings by the end of March”.

Economy minister Vaughan Gething confirmed Covid passes will be required for Saturday’s Six Nations rugby match in Cardiff.

“People - like me - who are going to tomorrow’s Wales v Scotland game will still need to show a Covid pass,” he said.

“Please make sure you’ve downloaded or printed your pass before going to the Principality Stadium.”

He added covid passes would continue to be used for international travel.

“Please check the entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to before booking your travel arrangements,” he said.