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Coronavirus Timeline: Welsh and UK Government’S Response Research Briefing

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Coronavirus Timeline: Welsh and UK Government’S Response Research Briefing Welsh Parliament Senedd Research Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response Research Briefing The table below highlights key developments in Wales and the UK in response to coronavirus (Covid-19). Senedd elections are held 6 May 2021 The people of Wales head to the polls to vote for the next Senedd / Welsh Parliament. Wales moves into alert level 3 3 May 2021 From today the whole of Wales is under alert level 3 restrictions, as confirmed by the First Minister on 30 April. The next review of the coronavirus restrictions is due by 13 May 2021 so will be carried out by the new Welsh Government following the Senedd election on 6 May 2021. The current Welsh Government previously indicated that Wales could move into alert level 2 on 17 May 2021. Senedd election to go ahead on 6 May 2021 27 April 2021 Th Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021 requires the Welsh Ministers to review the holding of the 2021 Senedd election due to coronavirus. Following the fourth and final review, it was not deemed necessary to postpone the election. Review of the coronavirus regulations www.senedd.wales/research Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response 23 April 2021 Following the required review of the coronavirus restriction regulations, the First Minister announces that from 26 April outdoor swimming pools, outdoor attractions, organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people and wedding receptions for up to 30 people can take place along with the reopening of outdoor hospitality. From 3 May 2021 gyms and leisure centres can reopen, extended households will be possible, children’s indoor activities and organised indoor activities for up to 15 people can begin again. Rules on meeting outdoors relaxed 19 April 2021 From Saturday 24 April any six people will be able to meet outdoors. A change from the current rule where six people from two households can meet outdoors. The First Minister also confirms that outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen on 26 April. Lateral flow tests for those who can’t work from home 14 April 2021 The Health Minister encourages all those who cannot work from home to access lateral flow test kits are they’re rolled out across Wales. The rapid testing kits can be collected from testing sites from 16 April. It’s recommended that tests are taken twice a week, and results are recorded on the UK Government website. Vaccines for household contacts of adults with severe immunosuppression 13 April 2021 The Welsh Government says it has accepted the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation’s advice that people over the age of 16 who live with individuals with severe weakened immune systems should be offered COVID-19 vaccinations as a priority. Easing of restrictions brought forward 1 Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response 8 April 2021 The First Minister announces that as the public health situation continues to improve, the planned opening of organised outdoor activities and outdoor wedding receptions will be brought forward to 26 April. From 3 May, a week earlier than previously signalled, gyms and leisure centres will be able to reopen and extended households will be allowed again. Third vaccine arrives in Wales 7 April 2021 The Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, announces that a third COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna, is being rolled out across Wales from today. It was authorised for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January 2021. Relaxation of restrictions 31 March 2021 The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, announces how restrictions will be eased into mid-May to move Wales into alert level 3 subject to public health conditions. On 12 April all children and students will return to face-to-face education in Wales, all non-essential retail will be able to reopen, and travel will be allowed out of Wales into the rest of the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. Welsh Ministers are aiming to reopen outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality including cafes, pubs and restaurants on 26 April. Updated testing strategy 30 March 2021 The Welsh Government publishes its updated COVID-19 testing strategy, which was first published in July 2020. The update sets out how new testing technology will work alongside existing infrastructure with five priorities for testing. Stay local restrictions lifted 25 March 2021 2 Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response The First Minister, Mark Drakeford announces that from Saturday 27 March the stay local restrictions will be lifted. From this date self-contained accommodation and libraries can re-open, outdoor children’s activities can take place and six people from households can meet outdoors. Updated vaccination strategy 23 March 2021 The Welsh Government publishes an update to its Vaccination Strategy for Wales which sets out the current status of the rollout and the next steps. The Government’s third milestone is to offer the first dose of a vaccine to those aged 18-49 by the end of July. Strategy to address inequality in vaccine uptake 23 March 2021 The Welsh Government publishes a COVID-19 vaccination equity strategy which sets out that a new Vaccine Equity Committee will ensure the equitable and fair delivery of the vaccination programme. The Committee will take a community led approach to address specific concerns and barriers to vaccination. National coronavirus Commemorative event 23 March 2021 The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, takes part in a national coronavirus commemorative event to pay respect to those who have died during the pandemic and to express sympathy to those grieving for loved ones. A minute silence is held to remember those who have died over the last year. Community testing programme extended 22 March 2021 Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, announces that the COVID-19 community testing programme will be extended to the end of September 2021 to help manage outbreaks and target areas that see a rapid increase in cases. Asymptomatic testing has been taking place in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf since the beginning of March 2021, with plans also progressing in Anglesey in response to an outbreak in Holyhead. 3 Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response COVID-secure Senedd election 22 March 2021 Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James, announces that the Welsh Government is making £1.5 million available to enable polling stations for the Senedd election to be made Covid-secure. The additional funding is being provided to cover the range of extra staff and equipment required to ensure the protection of staff and public health. Recovery plan for health and social care services 22 March 2021 The Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, publishes a recovery plan which is supported by £100 million in funding to help health and social care services in Wales to recover from the pandemic. The plan includes key aspects such as reducing health inequalities, creating supportive mental health services and providing accessible digital support. Updated coronavirus control plan 19 March 2021 The Welsh Government publishes an update to its coronavirus control plan which takes into account the vaccination programme and the “Kent variant of the virus”. The plan sets out how Wales will move from alert level 4 to alert level 3 from now until 22 April 2021. Bonus payment for NHS and social care staff 17 March 2021 Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, announces that the Welsh Government will fund a bonus payment for NHS and social care staff to recognise their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-off payment is equivalent to £735 per person, to cover the basic rate of tax and national insurance contributions incurred. After deductions most people will receive £500. Commemorative woodlands to be created 16 March 2021 4 Coronavirus timeline: Welsh and UK Government’s response First Minister, Mark Drakeford, announces the creation of commemorative woodlands in memory of those who have died from coronavirus. Two new woodlands will be planted, one in north Wales and one in south Wales. It is hoped they will be places of commemoration where families and friends can remember lost loved ones and where the public can reflect on the pandemic. Change to shielding advice 12 March 2021 Wales’ Health Minister announces that on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer, the advice to the clinically extremely vulnerable to follow shielding measures should be paused from 1 April 2021. Extra support for business in Wales 12 March 2021 Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, announces a further £150 million has been made available to support Welsh businesses to deal with the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The additional support will help businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non- essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates and will operate as a top up to the Restrictions Business Fund. First steps out of lockdown in Wales announced 12 March 2021 First Minister, Mark Drakeford, announces that from 13 March 2021, the stay- at-home restrictions will be replaced by a new interim stay local rule in Wales, meaning people can leave their homes and travel within their local area, usually within 5 miles (with some flexibility). Also from 13 March, up to 4 people from 2 households can meet in their local area outdoors, including in gardens (children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit); outdoor sports facilities can reopen (a maximum of 4 people from 2 households), and indoor care home visits can resume for one designated visitor. From 15 March 2021, hairdressers and barbers can reopen by appointment only. All primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return to school.
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