SHOPS in Wales will be able to re-open from Monday, it will be announced today - but no changes to the five mile rule are expected.

First Minister Mark Drakeford will today (Friday, 18 June), announce all non-essential retail businesses in Wales will be able to open from Monday, 22 June if they can take all reasonable measures to comply with the physical distancing duty in Welsh law.

The change is at the heart of a comprehensive package of measures to further unlock the coronavirus restrictions and move many aspects of daily life into the amber zone on the Welsh Government’s traffic light system.

The First Minister, who will today announce the outcome of the three-week statutory review of the regulations in Wales, will also say the Welsh Government will review the requirement to stay local by 6 July.

Responding to the news that non-essential retailers in Wales are expected to be told they can reopen from Monday at the next lockdown review, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Health Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “This announcement will not come as a surprise and many people will be glad to see yet another element of easing restrictions.

"However, we need to know not only which restrictions are being eased in the here and now but also which restrictions are expected to be lifted in the weeks and months ahead.  

 

“Three weeks ago the First Minister asked non-essential shops to prepare to re-open safely. What we need to know now is which businesses and which sectors will be given guidance next to prepare for safe re-opening in three weeks’ time.  

 

“I’m calling on the First Minister to relax restrictions as fast and as safely as possible and to consistently test and challenge the decisions they take as we move towards a new normality.”