More business sectors reopen in Wales as cautious unlocking continues

Hairdressers, barbers and outdoor hospitality businesses across Wales can open their doors to the public from today, as long as various guidance is being followed.

The re-opening features as part of the latest phase of the easing of lockdown measures in Wales.

It will be the first time the likes of hairdressers and barbers (by appointment only) – along with pubs, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas – have been able to open since restrictions were imposed in March.

Outdoor cinemas, indoor visitor attractions and places of worship can also open today, subject to following the guidance about coronavirus-safe ways to operate:

Over the last month a half restrictions have slowly been eased as the number of coronavirus cases in Wales has continued to fall. There were also three days in the last week with zero deaths recorded.

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.

Speaking on Friday about the re-opening of the sectors, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Together we are making good progress to tackle the spread of this virus.

“It is thanks to the efforts we have made together that we are able to lift the restrictions and re-open more parts of our society and economy.

“However, the threat from coronavirus has not gone away and only by all of us acting responsibly will we be able to keep Wales safe. This means maintaining social distancing, thinking carefully about where we go and why.”

Other restrictions that have been eased include the opening of non-essential retail, re-opening of self-contained holiday accommodation and the removal of the “stay local” restrictions.

Last week Education Minister Kirsty Williams also unveiled plans for all pupils to return to school from September.

On Friday the first minister also signalled the other sectors that should prepare to re-open in the next month.

From July 20th 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.

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.

It is possible from 27th July the following sectors will also re-open, and have been told to prepare for that date – assuming there is no change to the current virus issues in Wales: Close contact services, including nail and beauty salons and businesses providing tanning services, massages, body piercings, tattooing, electrolysis or acupuncture; along with indoor cinemas, museums, galleries and archive service.

This is alongside plans to fully re-open the housing market.

Discussions are also underway on how hospitality businesses can re-open indoors from August.