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Covid in Wales: Mass testing and Covid rules set to end Covid in Wales: Mass testing and Covid rules to be axed
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Protection or an infringement of freedoms? People in Wales have been wearing masks for almost two yearsProtection or an infringement of freedoms? People in Wales have been wearing masks for almost two years
Wales is to scrap its remaining Covid restrictions and end free mass testing under plans announced on Friday.Wales is to scrap its remaining Covid restrictions and end free mass testing under plans announced on Friday.
Rules on wearing masks and self-isolation are expected to end on 28 March. Legal rules on wearing masks and self-isolation are expected to end on 28 March.
PCR tests will no longer be available for testing most people with symptoms from April, and lateral flow devices will no longer be available from June. From the same date, most people with symptoms will not longer be able to get PCR tests, and free lateral flow tests (LFTs) will end from June.
The country will be the last part of the UK to totally lift its coronavirus restrictions.The country will be the last part of the UK to totally lift its coronavirus restrictions.
The Welsh government says the date for ending its coronavirus legislation will still need to be confirmed in three weeks time, and will depend on Wales' Covid situation.
While it will no longer be law to wear masks or self-isolate if people have coronavirus when rules end, First Minister Mark Drakeford said people would be advised to do so.While it will no longer be law to wear masks or self-isolate if people have coronavirus when rules end, First Minister Mark Drakeford said people would be advised to do so.
What is the plan for mass testing in Wales from April? The Welsh Conservatives called for restrictions to be lifted now, but Mark Drakeford said he would not "throw away" an approach he said had the public's support.
What is the plan for mass testing in Wales?
Wales' testing regime had been in doubt since the UK government, which pays for much of the infrastructure, announced that free mass testing would cease in England on 1 April.Wales' testing regime had been in doubt since the UK government, which pays for much of the infrastructure, announced that free mass testing would cease in England on 1 April.
From that date free testing in England will be targeted at vulnerable people.From that date free testing in England will be targeted at vulnerable people.
In Wales the general public's access to testing will be phased out over three months. In Wales from 28 March:
Under plans published on Friday morning, from the end of March/early April: The use of PCR tests - processed in a lab - by the general public will stop
Access to general public to free LFTs for testing people without symptoms will stop LFTs will be available online for free - but only for testing people who have symptoms
Routine asymptomatic testing in most schools, childcare and workplaces will also end
While self-isolation will no longer be law, people will still be advised to get a test if they have symptoms and isolate if positiveWhile self-isolation will no longer be law, people will still be advised to get a test if they have symptoms and isolate if positive
From April to June:
Testing for the general public with symptoms will be with LFTs at home rather than PCR tests completed in labs
LFTs will be available for free online and the result should be reported
Contact tracing will continueContact tracing will continue
From the end of June:From the end of June:
LFTs cease to be available for testing people with symptomsLFTs cease to be available for testing people with symptoms
Contact tracing and self-isolation support payments endContact tracing and self-isolation support payments end
Self-isolation guidance will be changed to take additional precautions when ill, such as staying at home if possibleSelf-isolation guidance will be changed to take additional precautions when ill, such as staying at home if possible
PCR tests will be kept for symptomatic health and social care staff, care home residents and prisoners. PCR tests will be kept for certain groups, such as health and social care staff with symptoms and care home residents, and hospital patients.
They will also be retained for testing hospital patients with symptoms, and those without who are vulnerable, health and social care staff with symptoms, care home residents and prisoners.
The decision means LFTs will be available for free for a few months longer than they will be in England.The decision means LFTs will be available for free for a few months longer than they will be in England.
Businesses have been among those calling for them to continue to be available without charge.
Around the end of March routine asymptomatic testing in most schools, childcare and workplaces will also end.
Figuring out the stats on coronavirus in WalesFiguring out the stats on coronavirus in Wales
What are the UK's 'Living with Covid' plans?What are the UK's 'Living with Covid' plans?
Speaking to BBC Wales Mr Drakeford said there would be "no cliff-edge end to testing as we've seen in England". Mr Drakeford said there would be "no cliff-edge end to testing as we've seen in England".
"The decisions the UK government has made to dismantle the testing infrastructure we've all relied upon does have a direct impact on our ability to go on providing testing at the level we would have thought was proportionate," he said."The decisions the UK government has made to dismantle the testing infrastructure we've all relied upon does have a direct impact on our ability to go on providing testing at the level we would have thought was proportionate," he said.
The Welsh NHS currently has capacity to do 15,000 PCR tests a day, although during the pandemic more tests in the community have been analysed in UK government labs. Drakeford 'will not throw away' slower approach
Chief medical officer Dr Sir Frank Atherton said he advised the Welsh NHS keeps "sufficient testing capacity to support individuals who become ill, to protect vulnerable individuals and settings" and to ensure it can respond to new variants. The Welsh government has said the date for ending its coronavirus legislation will still need to be confirmed in three weeks time, and will depend on Wales' Covid situation.
He said UK government scientific advice says that future variants "are highly likely to appear" and may lead to more "harm" than seen with Omicron.
On Thursday night, the Welsh government said all remaining legal measures on Covid could be removed from 28 March if the public health situation remained stable, but a final decision will be taken in three weeks.
In the meantime the regulations, including the requirement for businesses to have Covid risk assessments, will stay in place.In the meantime the regulations, including the requirement for businesses to have Covid risk assessments, will stay in place.
He defended not easing the restrictions sooner at a press conference, saying it followed advice from his Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton to ensure cases continue to fall.
"I think our way of doing things has succeeded, and I think it has secured the support of the bulk of the population in Wales, and I don't intend to throw all that away", he said.
Mr Drakeford warned the pandemic "isn't over" and there could be "fluctuations in global patterns of infection for several years".Mr Drakeford warned the pandemic "isn't over" and there could be "fluctuations in global patterns of infection for several years".
He told BBC Radio Wales after legislation "lapses", it could be reintroduced "should something unexpected happen".He told BBC Radio Wales after legislation "lapses", it could be reintroduced "should something unexpected happen".
While face mask rules have been scrapped in England, they are still legally required to be worn in many places in WalesWhile face mask rules have been scrapped in England, they are still legally required to be worn in many places in Wales
The Welsh NHS currently has capacity to do 15,000 PCR tests a day, although during the pandemic more tests in the community have been analysed in UK government labs.
Chief medical officer Dr Sir Frank Atherton said he advised the Welsh NHS keeps testing capacity in part so it can respond to new variants.
He said UK government scientific advice says that future variants "are highly likely to appear" and may lead to more "harm" than seen with Omicron.
However, Welsh officials also believe further waves of infection can be managed by the NHS because of vaccines and drug treatments.
The Welsh government has promised vaccination boosters in the spring for the elderly and most vulnerable adults, and a regular Covid vaccination programme from the autumn.The Welsh government has promised vaccination boosters in the spring for the elderly and most vulnerable adults, and a regular Covid vaccination programme from the autumn.
It said it would have contingency plans if there was a new variant which evaded the vaccine, but believes it is more likely that further waves of infection can be managed by the NHS, because of vaccines and drug treatments. The Senedd leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said the legal restrictions should be lifted now rather than wait until the end of the month.
Conservative Welsh health spokesman, Russell George, said: "It is about time the Labour government finally recognised the need to live with Covid. Mr Davies: "The First Minister couldn't really offer a scientific argument to sustain these restrictions here in Wales".
"It is a shame Wales was the last UK nation to get a plan, that the full return of our freedoms will only be restored weeks after they were in England and Northern Ireland, and that Mark Drakeford did not deliver his plan directly to the national legislature as Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon did." Plaid Cymru's health spokesman said it was important to know how the Welsh government would respond if "things take a turn for the worst, which of course we hope they won't".
Plaid Cymru's spokesman for health, Rhun ap Iorwerth, welcomed the announcement, but called for clarity on "who exactly will be identified as vulnerable groups". Rhun ap Iorwerth asked: "How prepared is government to act quickly, and what would acting quickly look like?"
"We have to know that testing will remain free," he said Coronavirus regulations of one form or another have been in place since the first 2020 lockdown two years ago, although the measures that are still in force came into being at a later date.
Mr ap Iorwerth added that health care services needed resilience built into their future and a plan including long-term solutions to overcome pandemic problems is needed.
Coronavirus regulations of one form or another have been in place since the first 2020 lockdown two years ago, although the measures that are still in force came into being later.
Mask wearing laws to endMask wearing laws to end
Wales was the last country in the UK to make masks mandatory in shops - in September 2020. The legal requirement to self-isolate became law two months later.Wales was the last country in the UK to make masks mandatory in shops - in September 2020. The legal requirement to self-isolate became law two months later.
In recent weeks, mask wearing rules have eased but people must continue to wear them by law in shops, salons and hairdressers, on public transport and in health and social care settings.In recent weeks, mask wearing rules have eased but people must continue to wear them by law in shops, salons and hairdressers, on public transport and in health and social care settings.
That legal requirement is set to end by the end of March, bringing the country in line with the other three nations.That legal requirement is set to end by the end of March, bringing the country in line with the other three nations.
Mr Drakeford said he did not expect to see "a sudden cliff edge" in people not wearing masks.
"I think that while the legal requirement we hope will be lifted on the 28 March, the need to go on doing the right thing, particularly in vulnerable places likes care homes and hospitals, will not have any date", he added.
Salon owner Sarah Bruton says ending the mask wearing law will only better communication between staff and customersSalon owner Sarah Bruton says ending the mask wearing law will only better communication between staff and customers
Sarah Bruton, who owns Captiva Spa and Lounge in Caerphilly, said she was "delighted" rules were coming to an end.Sarah Bruton, who owns Captiva Spa and Lounge in Caerphilly, said she was "delighted" rules were coming to an end.
While she will not be rushing to drop all restrictions at once, "at least we get to make personal choices now rather than have it mandated", she said.While she will not be rushing to drop all restrictions at once, "at least we get to make personal choices now rather than have it mandated", she said.
Ms Bruton told BBC Radio Wales it would be "very difficult" to make customers take a lateral flow test before arriving at the spa, but it would be encouraging them and staff to stay at home if they feel unwell.Ms Bruton told BBC Radio Wales it would be "very difficult" to make customers take a lateral flow test before arriving at the spa, but it would be encouraging them and staff to stay at home if they feel unwell.
It is about "making sensible decisions", she added.It is about "making sensible decisions", she added.
Dr David Bailey, chair of the British Medical Association Wales, said the shift to returning to normal life was "inevitable when we see what's happening in Scotland and England".Dr David Bailey, chair of the British Medical Association Wales, said the shift to returning to normal life was "inevitable when we see what's happening in Scotland and England".
Although "the threat is clearly receding", the GP from Caerphilly said he expects most health care settings will risk assess the need to wear face masks after laws end.Although "the threat is clearly receding", the GP from Caerphilly said he expects most health care settings will risk assess the need to wear face masks after laws end.
Dr David Bailey said it would be "responsible" and "sensible" for health care premises to continue to make patients wear masksDr David Bailey said it would be "responsible" and "sensible" for health care premises to continue to make patients wear masks
Dr Bailey said that some testing was needed in order to monitor people who were ill and to keep them safe.Dr Bailey said that some testing was needed in order to monitor people who were ill and to keep them safe.
Covid behavioural expert Dr Simon Williams from Swansea University said he believed there may be return to "much lower levels" of face mask wearing.Covid behavioural expert Dr Simon Williams from Swansea University said he believed there may be return to "much lower levels" of face mask wearing.
He said a decline had been seen in England, where it is no longer law: "Because people are less worried, you will see people choosing not to wear masks."He said a decline had been seen in England, where it is no longer law: "Because people are less worried, you will see people choosing not to wear masks."
This is a significant milestone in the story of the pandemic.This is a significant milestone in the story of the pandemic.
Laws on wearing masks in shops and self-isolating weren't introduced until autumn 2020, months after the first deadly wave of infections.Laws on wearing masks in shops and self-isolating weren't introduced until autumn 2020, months after the first deadly wave of infections.
Wales will cling on to those rules longer than any other part of the UK.Wales will cling on to those rules longer than any other part of the UK.
Scrapping them will mark the beginning of a new phase when we are expected to live with Covid as we do with other infectious disease.Scrapping them will mark the beginning of a new phase when we are expected to live with Covid as we do with other infectious disease.
For many, it will be a difficult adjustment. Getting to this point has involved huge upheaval and trauma.For many, it will be a difficult adjustment. Getting to this point has involved huge upheaval and trauma.
Covid has upended our lives and appeared on 9,696 death certificates in Wales.Covid has upended our lives and appeared on 9,696 death certificates in Wales.
Latest figures show that the number of positive tests reported through lateral flow tests and PCRs are falling.Latest figures show that the number of positive tests reported through lateral flow tests and PCRs are falling.
The number of positive PCR tests dropped by nearly 25% in a week and stands at 158.7 cases per 100,000 people.The number of positive PCR tests dropped by nearly 25% in a week and stands at 158.7 cases per 100,000 people.
Some 8,000 positive lateral flow tests were recorded. A rough estimate shows that if the weekly PCR tests were added, the case rate would rise above 400 - 20% down on week ago.Some 8,000 positive lateral flow tests were recorded. A rough estimate shows that if the weekly PCR tests were added, the case rate would rise above 400 - 20% down on week ago.
Numbers of Covid patients in hospital also remain stable and relatively low at a daily average of 432, but about 80% of them are "incidental" Covid cases and are people who are in hospital for something else.Numbers of Covid patients in hospital also remain stable and relatively low at a daily average of 432, but about 80% of them are "incidental" Covid cases and are people who are in hospital for something else.