Written Statement: Review of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restriction) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020
First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS has stated (10 December):
The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 require a review of the coronavirus restrictions is undertaken every three weeks. The most recent review was due by 9 December.
Overall, the coronavirus rate in Wales has remained relatively stable since the last review of the regulations – it continues to be high at around 500 cases per 100,000 people.
Since we last reviewed the regulations, the new omicron variant has emerged. This is a fast-moving variant of the virus, with many mutations – while there is still a lot we do not know about this variant, it is a worrying development in the pandemic.
In just over two weeks, cases of omicron have been identified all over the world, including in the UK. Many areas of England and Scotland are reporting widespread community transmission. At the moment, there are low numbers of confirmed cases in Wales but we must be prepared for cases to rise quickly and sharply.
This variant has the potential to infect large numbers of people, which could translate into an increase in hospital admissions. As we move into the most difficult period of the year for our health and social care services, even a small increase in Covid-19 admissions would put even more pressure on the NHS and social care services, which are already stretched.
We are taking this development very seriously and preparing for an omicron wave of infections now.
Our best defence is vaccination. We have expanded the vaccination programme, in line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and we will be offering a booster vaccine to all eligible over-18s by the end of January.
In this three-week review of the regulations, we have considered what protections are needed now to respond to the current delta wave and to provide protection against the new omicron variant, building on the measures we have introduced over the last few weeks on self-isolation and international travel.
We will be strongly advising people to:
- Take a lateral flow test before going out, visiting friends or family or travelling. If the test is positive people should stay at home, self-isolate and arrange a PCR test.
- Wear face coverings in all public places, including in cinemas and theatres, pubs and restaurants, except when eating or drinking.
Our guidance for the COVID Pass has been amended to advise that a lateral flow test should be taken within 24 hours, rather than 48 hours as previously set out.
We have also published guidance for students preparing to leave college and university for Christmas, which recommends that they test before travel.
Our expert group on PPE is urgently reviewing all the available evidence around aerosol transmission for the omicron variant and we will act on any recommendations for change.
To protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, we are considering how to support safer visiting in care homes and hospitals in light of the emergence of the fast-moving omicron variant.
We are also making three changes to the regulations to:
- Clarify that people face coverings must be worn in theatres, cinemas or concert halls (except when eating or drinking or when at in-house cafes or bars)
- Require face coverings to be worn during a professional driving lesson or practical test;
- Remove proof of natural immunity from the domestic version of the Covid Pass.
The changes on face coverings will come into force on Saturday 11 December and their purpose is to remove any ambiguity from the regulations.
The changes for the Covid Pass will come into force on Wednesday 15 December, at the same time as in England. This will ensure the requirements are the same in both countries.
For the time being we will remain at alert level zero. We will monitor the public health situation very closely over the coming days and Ministers will meet regularly to consider whether we need to put additional protections in place to keep Wales safe. I will keep Members updated about any changes.
Booster best shot to protect against new variant – FM
The First Minister has urged everyone to have their COVID-19 booster vaccine as he warned Wales is facing a new wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant.
More than a million people have already received their booster vaccine in Wales but the programme is being speeded up following the emergence of the fast-moving variant.
The First Minister said, at his regular 21-day review press conference, held on Friday 10 December, that even though only a handful of cases of Omicron have so far been confirmed in Wales, we must be prepared for cases to rise quickly and sharply.
Omicron was first identified in South Africa just over two weeks ago. It has quickly spread around the world, including to the UK. There is now widespread community transmission in many parts of England and Scotland.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“The emergence of the Omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic. We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people.
“We are speeding up the roll-out of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.
“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.
“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year."
There are a number of other measures people can take to help protect themselves from coronavirus, including the new Omicron variant.
The First Minister added:
“None of us wanted to hear about the news of this new variant. After almost two years of the pandemic, we had all hoped that we could put coronavirus behind us this Christmas.
“But, we have faced challenges many times during this pandemic. And we have learned from each one. We are not back at square one.
Please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please follow all the advice and all the measures which have kept us safe over the last couple of years. And let’s stay safe and well this Christmas.”
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales
COVID-19 SAFETY REMINDERS:
Keep Wales Safe at Work
When considering what you need to do to keep your workforce safe at work, visit the Business Wales website for detailed guidance, examples and resources.
Reasonable Measures to Minimise Coronavirus
Advice for businesses and organisations about reasonable measures to take to minimise the risk of coronavirus can be found on: Reasonable measures action cards for businesses and organisations: coronavirus | GOV.WALES.
This includes information on ventilation, limiting capacity, preventing crowding, cleanliness, noise levels and helping Test, Trace and Protect.
NHS COVID Pass: promotional pack
Information on how businesses and event organisers must check the COVID-19 status of their customers is available on COVID Pass: guidance for businesses and events | GOV.WALES.
The NHS COVID Pass: promotional pack can be downloaded from Gov.Wales. Businesses are encouraged to display and share these posters, images and videos to promote and explain the NHS COVID Pass.
Alert Level 0 Guidance
Guidance alert level 0: guidance for employers, businesses and organisations provides the current essential information needed to help businesses, employers and other organisations or institutions meet the legal obligations they are under to minimise the risk of people being exposed to, or spreading, coronavirus on their premises.
Useful COVID-19 information
As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance. This continues to be updated so please check back regularly for the latest information.
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Stay up to date with tourism industry news
We are committed to providing the support and assurance the business community needs during these unprecedented difficult times and have issued several Coronavirus (COVID-19) related bulletins which can be found on the Tourism Industry Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bulletins page.
Business Wales is providing businesses with tailored support and advice about dealing with coronavirus, from financial and supply chain planning to advice on staffing issues. We would advise Tourism businesses and stakeholders in Wales wanting specific guidance to visit the Business Wales website or call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000, and to regularly visit the Public Health Wales website for up-to-date public health information for you, your staff and your visitors.
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