Covid: 'Stay-local' rule in Wales to end from Saturday

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"Stay-local" rules will lift in Wales from Saturday and unrestricted travel within its borders will be allowed.

It means Wales will be the first UK nation to scrap travel restrictions within country boundaries since lockdowns were re-imposed in winter.

Self-contained tourist accommodation - including many hotels and cottages - will also be able to open on Saturday.

But non-essential travel to and from other UK nations will be banned for at least two weeks.

The move by the Welsh government will also see rules on the number of people who can meet outdoors - including in private gardens - eased.

Six people from two households will be able to meet up, an increase from the current four-person limit.

Organised outdoor activities and sports for under-18s can resume, and libraries and archives will be able to reopen their doors.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the "public health position remains stable" and there is "headroom" to make changes.

"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," he said.

Rules will also allow a limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens.Stay local rules were in place for just two weeks.

They had replaced a stay-at-home order - in place since the start of the third national Welsh lockdown - which had required people to remain home except for essential purposes like work and exercise.

Lockdown was imposed in Wales at the end of December after a rise in cases increased pressure on the Welsh NHS.

It is the latest measure in the Welsh government's plans to ease restrictions - but many parts of the economy remain closed.Retailers may be allowed to fully reopen, and teaching of pupils not yet back in school could restart from 12 April.

Primary schools and some secondary school children have already resumed classes.

A decision on whether to permit pubs, restaurants and cafes to reopen outdoors will not be taken until at least 22 April.

The UK government does not plan to ease stay at home restrictions in England until 29 March, but ministers will urge people to remain local as much as possible.

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