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| Covid: Welsh pubs and restaurants to open indoors in May | Covid: Welsh pubs and restaurants to open indoors in May |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Having an alcoholic drink inside pubs and restaurants in Wales has been banned since 4 December | Having an alcoholic drink inside pubs and restaurants in Wales has been banned since 4 December |
| People in Wales could be able to have a drink inside a pub or restaurant for the first time in five-and-a-half-months from 17 May. | People in Wales could be able to have a drink inside a pub or restaurant for the first time in five-and-a-half-months from 17 May. |
| Pubs and restaurants have been shut indoors since the Welsh government imposed a new lockdown in December. | Pubs and restaurants have been shut indoors since the Welsh government imposed a new lockdown in December. |
| Indoor children's activities have also been brought forward to 3 May and groups of up to 15 adults, like gym classes, can start on the same day. | Indoor children's activities have also been brought forward to 3 May and groups of up to 15 adults, like gym classes, can start on the same day. |
| First Minister Mark Drakeford described it as a "major reopening of Wales". | First Minister Mark Drakeford described it as a "major reopening of Wales". |
| He said the relaxation of a number of lockdown rules had been moved forward because of falling Covid rates. | He said the relaxation of a number of lockdown rules had been moved forward because of falling Covid rates. |
| Lockdown rules are changing again - what's happening? | Lockdown rules are changing again - what's happening? |
| 'Let pubs reopen to control drinking' | 'Let pubs reopen to control drinking' |
| Opening pubs too soon 'may undo all the good' | Opening pubs too soon 'may undo all the good' |
| He will deliver an official Welsh government briefing about the changes later. | He will deliver an official Welsh government briefing about the changes later. |
| It is the first time a proposed date has been given for the reopening of pubs and restaurants indoors in Wales. | It is the first time a proposed date has been given for the reopening of pubs and restaurants indoors in Wales. |
| It comes after the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru called for the industry to be allowed to resume indoor trade on 17 May - the same proposed date as neighbouring England. | It comes after the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru called for the industry to be allowed to resume indoor trade on 17 May - the same proposed date as neighbouring England. |
| Wales has more than 2,000 pubs and they are set to open before the Spring Bank Holiday | Wales has more than 2,000 pubs and they are set to open before the Spring Bank Holiday |
| Opposition parties accused Mr Drakeford, the leader of Welsh Labour, of electioneering by changing Covid rules during the Welsh Parliament election campaign. | Opposition parties accused Mr Drakeford, the leader of Welsh Labour, of electioneering by changing Covid rules during the Welsh Parliament election campaign. |
| Mr Drakeford disagreed, saying the move was only because Wales' Covid case rate had fallen to the UK's lowest. | Mr Drakeford disagreed, saying the move was only because Wales' Covid case rate had fallen to the UK's lowest. |
| "The virus doesn't know there is an election on, and I don't think it would have been right not to have given those indications," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "The virus doesn't know there is an election on, and I don't think it would have been right not to have given those indications," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
| The latest restriction easing comes after previous announcements that any six people can meet outdoors in Wales from Saturday, and dates for gyms and swimming pools being moved forward by two weeks to 3 May. | The latest restriction easing comes after previous announcements that any six people can meet outdoors in Wales from Saturday, and dates for gyms and swimming pools being moved forward by two weeks to 3 May. |
| SIGN UP FOR WALES ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage | SIGN UP FOR WALES ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage |
| Mr Drakeford has also confirmed outdoor hospitality, including cafes, pubs and restaurants, will be allowed to reopen on Monday - alongside outdoor attractions, organised outdoor activities and wedding receptions for up to 30 people. | Mr Drakeford has also confirmed outdoor hospitality, including cafes, pubs and restaurants, will be allowed to reopen on Monday - alongside outdoor attractions, organised outdoor activities and wedding receptions for up to 30 people. |
| Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can also reopen from 3 May, while people can once again form extended households, allowing two households to bubble up and have contact indoors. | Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can also reopen from 3 May, while people can once again form extended households, allowing two households to bubble up and have contact indoors. |
| How does Wales' timetable compare to other UK nations? | How does Wales' timetable compare to other UK nations? |
| Allowing people in Wales to buy an alcoholic drink inside a pub or restaurant from 17 May would be similar to the plan in England and Scotland. | Allowing people in Wales to buy an alcoholic drink inside a pub or restaurant from 17 May would be similar to the plan in England and Scotland. |
| Although, Scotland will be the first in the UK to open its cafes, pubs and restaurants indoors from Monday - but no alcohol can be served. | Although, Scotland will be the first in the UK to open its cafes, pubs and restaurants indoors from Monday - but no alcohol can be served. |
| People in England can already visit the pub or have a meal in a restaurant outside - that could extend to inside from 17 May. | People in England can already visit the pub or have a meal in a restaurant outside - that could extend to inside from 17 May. |
| Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can welcome customers outdoors in Northern Ireland from 30 April, with restrictions, while people may be allowed to socialise inside from 24 May at the earliest, depending on Covid case rates. | Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can welcome customers outdoors in Northern Ireland from 30 April, with restrictions, while people may be allowed to socialise inside from 24 May at the earliest, depending on Covid case rates. |
| 'Time to reopen' | 'Time to reopen' |
| Happier times for café owner Sara Bailey - when customers could order inside | Happier times for café owner Sara Bailey - when customers could order inside |
| It has been a long time coming for Treorchy café owner Sara Bailey. | It has been a long time coming for Treorchy café owner Sara Bailey. |
| Hot Gossip, like so many other catering businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been shut for four months. | Hot Gossip, like so many other catering businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been shut for four months. |
| Q&A: What are Wales' lockdown rules? | Q&A: What are Wales' lockdown rules? |
| Figuring out the stats on coronavirus in Wales | Figuring out the stats on coronavirus in Wales |
| How many have had a Covid vaccine in Wales? | How many have had a Covid vaccine in Wales? |
| "It seems that things are going well at the moment with Covid cases, so it is time to give us a date to reopen," she said. | "It seems that things are going well at the moment with Covid cases, so it is time to give us a date to reopen," she said. |
| Without any outdoor seating, Sara Bailey is desperate to open inside her Treorchy café | Without any outdoor seating, Sara Bailey is desperate to open inside her Treorchy café |
| For restaurateur Nataniel Martinez, who runs Le Monde in Cardiff and Penarth's Old Customs House, reopening is a large-scale operation. | For restaurateur Nataniel Martinez, who runs Le Monde in Cardiff and Penarth's Old Customs House, reopening is a large-scale operation. |
| "The opening of indoor hospitality for us means we can bring back about 120 staff into work," he said. | "The opening of indoor hospitality for us means we can bring back about 120 staff into work," he said. |
| "The demand for indoor dining is massive, so we are really looking forward now to getting back to it and reopening all the restaurants." | "The demand for indoor dining is massive, so we are really looking forward now to getting back to it and reopening all the restaurants." |
| Restaurateur Nataniel Martinez says opening indoors is vital to his businesses | Restaurateur Nataniel Martinez says opening indoors is vital to his businesses |
| Rhian Davies, owner of the Rose and Crown pub in Cadoxton in Neath Port Talbot, said there was a "lot of preparation to do" before reopening - but added the industry was used to it after months of safety measures last year. | |
| She said she accepted closures had been needed: "I wanted to help the hard working staff of our hospitals and health service... and was happy to do my bit to stop Covid spreading." | She said she accepted closures had been needed: "I wanted to help the hard working staff of our hospitals and health service... and was happy to do my bit to stop Covid spreading." |
| The announcement has been warmly welcomed by UKHospitality, the trade body representing the hospitality sector in Wales. | The announcement has been warmly welcomed by UKHospitality, the trade body representing the hospitality sector in Wales. |
| "We have led the calls for earlier reopening and have been advising, consulting and negotiating on the need to help protect jobs and businesses - and the public," said Dave Chapman, its director for Wales. | "We have led the calls for earlier reopening and have been advising, consulting and negotiating on the need to help protect jobs and businesses - and the public," said Dave Chapman, its director for Wales. |
| He said the announcement "offers clarity and commercial hope, and reflects positively the medical evidence". | He said the announcement "offers clarity and commercial hope, and reflects positively the medical evidence". |
| What is the Covid case rate in Wales? | What is the Covid case rate in Wales? |
| Wales had the highest Covid case rate in the UK when the Welsh government banned sale of alcohol on the premises of pubs and restaurants on 4 December. | Wales had the highest Covid case rate in the UK when the Welsh government banned sale of alcohol on the premises of pubs and restaurants on 4 December. |
| Then came the pre-Christmas lockdown, shutting all restaurants, pubs and shops, as Wales reported more than 3,000 Covid cases in a day and that the Welsh NHS was struggling to cope. | Then came the pre-Christmas lockdown, shutting all restaurants, pubs and shops, as Wales reported more than 3,000 Covid cases in a day and that the Welsh NHS was struggling to cope. |
| Now, Wales has the lowest Covid case rate in the UK - around 15 cases per 100,000 people - with, compared to other UK nations, the highest percentage of its population vaccinated. The number of Covid patients in hospitals in Wales has also dropped to its lowest level. | Now, Wales has the lowest Covid case rate in the UK - around 15 cases per 100,000 people - with, compared to other UK nations, the highest percentage of its population vaccinated. The number of Covid patients in hospitals in Wales has also dropped to its lowest level. |
| What do politicians say? | What do politicians say? |
| While there now appears to be a broad consensus on hospitality restrictions, both the Tories and Plaid Cymru have said Mr Drakeford should not be using the televised address for announcements easing restrictions. | While there now appears to be a broad consensus on hospitality restrictions, both the Tories and Plaid Cymru have said Mr Drakeford should not be using the televised address for announcements easing restrictions. |
| The Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Labour leader of "naked electioneering" while Plaid Cymru said it was "completely inappropriate" for the press conference to be used like this. | The Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Labour leader of "naked electioneering" while Plaid Cymru said it was "completely inappropriate" for the press conference to be used like this. |
| Plaid leader Adam Price, said: "A Plaid Cymru government would plan for the reopening of indoor hospitality, tourist accommodation, cinemas and other entertainment venues on 17 May. | Plaid leader Adam Price, said: "A Plaid Cymru government would plan for the reopening of indoor hospitality, tourist accommodation, cinemas and other entertainment venues on 17 May. |
| "To put businesses on the best possible footing our first steps in office include providing start up grants for hospitality businesses. | "To put businesses on the best possible footing our first steps in office include providing start up grants for hospitality businesses. |
| "Additional financial support would also be backdated to 26 April for those businesses that cannot viably trade on the basis of outdoor opening alone." | "Additional financial support would also be backdated to 26 April for those businesses that cannot viably trade on the basis of outdoor opening alone." |
| BASICS: Simple guide to the Senedd election | BASICS: Simple guide to the Senedd election |
| POLICY GUIDE: Who should I vote for? | POLICY GUIDE: Who should I vote for? |
| FIRST TIME: Will 16-year-olds vote? | FIRST TIME: Will 16-year-olds vote? |
| Welcoming the announcement Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said it was "great news". | Welcoming the announcement Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said it was "great news". |
| She said: "As a nation we must all work together to ensure the vaccination programme continues and that the lockdowns and closures we've been through never need to return." | She said: "As a nation we must all work together to ensure the vaccination programme continues and that the lockdowns and closures we've been through never need to return." |
| Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Labour had ample opportunity to bring forward a roadmap out of lockdown, but refused to do so. | Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Labour had ample opportunity to bring forward a roadmap out of lockdown, but refused to do so. |
| "Thanks to the UK's great vaccination story much more detail could have been announced prior to the election period... but Labour chose to play politics instead of adopting the Welsh Conservative roadmap." | "Thanks to the UK's great vaccination story much more detail could have been announced prior to the election period... but Labour chose to play politics instead of adopting the Welsh Conservative roadmap." |
| He added that "given this latest review announcement has already been well trailed it should be led by the chief medical officer, not a Labour candidate, and the BBC should consider whether it's appropriate to be broadcast in this sensitive period". | He added that "given this latest review announcement has already been well trailed it should be led by the chief medical officer, not a Labour candidate, and the BBC should consider whether it's appropriate to be broadcast in this sensitive period". |
| Mark Reckless, from the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, said: "This is getting to the point of testing election rules to breaking point. | Mark Reckless, from the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, said: "This is getting to the point of testing election rules to breaking point. |
| "The Labour leader is using his platform as first minister to make political announcements during an election campaign." | "The Labour leader is using his platform as first minister to make political announcements during an election campaign." |
| WALES ELECTION: THE BASICS | WALES ELECTION: THE BASICS |
| What's happening? On 6 May, people will vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). The party that can command the support of a majority of MSs will form the Welsh government. Find out more here. | What's happening? On 6 May, people will vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). The party that can command the support of a majority of MSs will form the Welsh government. Find out more here. |
| What powers does the Senedd have? MSs pass laws on aspects of life in Wales such as health, education and transport - and have some tax powers. | What powers does the Senedd have? MSs pass laws on aspects of life in Wales such as health, education and transport - and have some tax powers. |
| Responding to Mr RT Davies' comments, a BBC spokesperson said: "Our goal is to ensure our commitment to providing key public health information to audiences continues to be fulfilled without compromising our duty to fairness and impartiality across news and political coverage on television, radio and online. | Responding to Mr RT Davies' comments, a BBC spokesperson said: "Our goal is to ensure our commitment to providing key public health information to audiences continues to be fulfilled without compromising our duty to fairness and impartiality across news and political coverage on television, radio and online. |
| "In all cases, our editorial decisions will be based on two considerations - the significance of the public health information to be discussed at the briefing, and the requirement for the BBC to exercise due impartiality during the election period, as set out in the BBC election guidelines and in Ofcom's election guidance. | "In all cases, our editorial decisions will be based on two considerations - the significance of the public health information to be discussed at the briefing, and the requirement for the BBC to exercise due impartiality during the election period, as set out in the BBC election guidelines and in Ofcom's election guidance. |
| "The approach to our coverage of government briefings in Wales and Scotland during the election period was outlined to all the parties prior to the start of the campaign, and our coverage remains consistent with that." | "The approach to our coverage of government briefings in Wales and Scotland during the election period was outlined to all the parties prior to the start of the campaign, and our coverage remains consistent with that." |
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| TESTING: How do I get a virus test? | TESTING: How do I get a virus test? |
| GLOBAL TRACKER: Where are the virus hotspots? | GLOBAL TRACKER: Where are the virus hotspots? |