Covid 19 - Wales - Reopening for Inside 17th May

Yesterday, saw the First Minister Mark Drakeford confirm indoor hospitality can reopen from 17 May as Wales' Covid case rate continues to fall and brought the Principality in line with the reopening of England on the same day.

This will allow up to six people from different households will be able to meet indoors at pubs, cafes and restaurants from Monday.

Extra cash support for hospitality businesses still affected by Covid restrictions, such as clubs and late-night entertainment venues, has also been announced. This is confirmed and more detail provided here: 'Further support for Welsh businesses'.

Pubs and restaurants can also apply for the funding, from the £200 million fund which Drakeford says will safeguard jobs.

The latest support package is for those businesses, which remain affected by restrictions, to meet ongoing costs through to the end of June as they prepare for re-opening and more normal trading conditions.

But for the purposes of hospitality, it confirms the businesses that are able to claim include:

• nightclubs and late entertainment venues
• events and conference venues not covered by the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF)
• hospitality and leisure businesses, including restaurants, pubs and cafes
• supply chain business, which have been materially impacted by restrictions

An eligibility checker will open on the Business Wales website at midday on 17 May so businesses can find out how much support they are likely to be entitled to and how to apply.

Businesses will be able submit applications by the end of the month and they will receive between £2,500 and £25,000 depending on their circumstances. Funding will be calculated based on the size of the business and the type of restrictions they are under.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“The public health situation continues to improve in Wales – we have the lowest coronavirus rates and the best vaccination rates in the UK.

We know the restrictions have helped to keep us all safe but they have had a big impact on Welsh businesses, which is why we are making more funding available to support firms and safeguard jobs.

Eligible businesses will receive support of up to £25k as they prepare to reopen and move towards more normal trading conditions.

My new government will provide more detail about the extra financial support we will be providing to businesses to help them develop and grow as Wales recovers from the impact of the pandemic.

As we continue to relax the restrictions, I can confirm that from Monday, up to six people from six different households will be able to meet indoors in regulated settings, such as cafes and pubs.”

Please note that the allowance for 30 persons to meet outside is not in operation in Wales.