LOCKDOWN rules in Wales will be eased from Saturday as the First Minister announces a phased relaxing of coronavirus restrictions.

The Welsh Government will lift the “stay at home” requirement in Wales from tomorrow (Saturday), and replace it with “stay local”, as part of a ‘careful, cautious and phased approach to relaxing coronavirus,’ First Minister Mark Drakeford will announce later today.

From (Saturday 13 March), four people from two households will be able to meet outdoors to socialise, including in gardens.

No details have yet been given on how far people will be able to travel during the ‘stay local’ rule, but Health Minister Vaughan Gething suggested on Wednesday that the policy is likely to differ in different parts of Wales, depending on how rural your locality is.

Outdoor sports facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts and golf courses will also be allowed to reopen, and indoor care home visits will restart, for single designated visitors.

From Monday, all primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return.

Schools will have the flexibility to bring year 10 and 12 learners back and more learners will return to colleges.

There will also be flexibility for in-school check-ins for all other pupils.

All learners will return after the Easter break.

Hairdressers and barbers will re-open for appointments from Monday.

From 22 March non-essential retail will start re-opening gradually as the restrictions are lifted on what can be sold in shops which are currently open.

Garden centres will also be able to open.

All shops, including all close contact services, will be able to open from 12 April – the same date as in England.

The First Minister will say later today: “We are taking a phased approach to unlocking each sector – starting with schools.

“We will make step-by-step changes each week to gradually restore freedoms.

“We will monitor each change we make, so we know what impact each change has had on Wales’ public health situation.”

The First Minister will also announce an additional £150m to support businesses affected by ongoing restrictions.Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price MS backed the change in rules, saying: “Travel restrictions should be eased with caution and the sensible approach is to reintroduce the “stay local” message for as long as is necessary – ensuring that guidance is tailored depending on where people live."Stay Local can mean different things in different parts of Wales – particularly rural Wales.“Any relaxation of restrictions need to be done slowly and steadily. "After all, we all want this lockdown to be the very last lockdown that we face. “But above all, we support measures that aim to keep people safe, based on evidence, but people and businesses need the clearest plan possible about the road ahead of us.“However, loneliness and isolation remain also a real challenge for many people, and we hope that the government will put a sharp focus on when and how it will be safe to return to extended household bubbles."We also cannot ignore the mental health crisis which has been brought about because of the pandemic."It is vital that everything possible is done to enable gyms to be among the first facilities to reopen."