Wales lifts ‘stay local’ rule from Saturday after three months

People living in Wales to be allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation but cannot travel in or out of country

The Welsh government will lift the “stay local” requirement from Saturday, allowing people to travel freely within the country for the first time since 20 December.

First minister Mark Drakeford also confirmed that people in Wales will be allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation from the same day. These include hotels with en suite facilities and room service, caravans and holiday homes where facilities are not shared.

Under the new rules, guests staying at self-contained accommodation must be from the same household or support bubble.

However, an interim “all-Wales travel area” in place until 12 April means people cannot travel in or out of the country for at least another two weeks except for a reasonable excuse such as for work.

People living elsewhere in the UK that are still under lockdown will not be permitted to take advantage of the easing of tourism and travel rules in Wales.

Other changes to coronavirus rules in Wales from Saturday include allowing up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors, as well as organised outdoor activities and sports for people under the age of 18.

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There will also be a limited reopening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens, while libraries and archives will be allowed to welcome people in again.

Supermarkets have been allowed to resume selling non-essential items. Garden centres and hairdressers have also reopened, with the rest of non-essential retail and close contact services expected to reopen from 12 April.

Mr Drakeford said on Thursday: “These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.

“We’re only able to do this because of the sacrifices everyone across Wales has made over the last few months - everything you are doing to keep your loved ones safe is also keeping Wales safe.

“The public health position remains stable; our incredible vaccination programme goes from strength to strength - we have headroom to make these changes.”

The Welsh government said the latest easing of restrictions meant Wales was moving out of alert level four to level three.