Large parts of Wales will begin to welcome back visitors as the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries re-open over the next three weeks.
Most indoor tourist attractions will reopen on Monday, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced yesterday (Friday 10 July) as he set out further measures to lift Wales’ coronavirus restrictions.
Following the latest 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations, the First Minister has set out a phased timetable to ease restrictions for large parts of Wales’ visitor, hospitality, and leisure and tourism sectors.
He is asking the beauty sector and other close-contact services, including tattooists and nail salons, to begin preparing to reopen from 27 July, if the conditions allow.
Although cases of coronavirus are declining in Wales, the disease has not gone away and everyone has a responsibility to maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and to respect the places and communities they visit.
From Monday, (13 July) the following will be able to open, subject to following the guidance about coronavirus-safe ways to operate:
- Hairdressing salons and barbershops, including mobile hairdressers.
- Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes outdoors.
- Outdoor cinemas.
- Indoor visitor attractions, but a small number of underground visitor attractions will remain closed for the time being because of the higher risks associated with these environments. The Welsh Government will continue to work with these attractions towards safe re-opening.
- Places of worship. Faith leaders can begin to gradually resume services when they are ready to do so safely.
The Welsh Government is also making changes to the regulations to allow larger gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors only where these are organised and supervised by a responsible person for sports and other leisure activities and classes.
This will allow sports and leisure activities, such as fitness and dance classes to take place outdoors, as well as collective worship.
From July 20, playgrounds, community centres and outdoor gyms will be able to reopen gradually over the following weeks as and when safety checks and mitigations are put in place. Re-opening community centres will help local authorities provide summer holiday play schemes and childcare.
The next formal review of the regulations is due by 30 July. Detailed discussions about how indoor hospitality can operate in a coronavirus-safe way are ongoing. Options for reopening will be considered from 3 August, if conditions allow.
