Welsh Government releases alert level ‘explainers’ outlining what can close or remain open under new plan

The Welsh Government has published alert level ‘explainers’ outlining exactly what will close down and what will remain open under each of the new coronavirus control plan tiers.

The control plan puts in place four alert levels or tiers which will be implemented over the winter months to protect people’s health.

The government said the measures are designed to be as “simple, fair and clear as possible” and to provide greater certainty for the public and businesses about what legal restrictions will be put in place.

First minister Mark Drakeford has indicated that unless there is a significant change in our case rates, the whole of Wales will move into level 4 immediately after Christmas.”

He said Level 4 restrictions will be, “like the firebreak set of controls and will apply to the “whole country.”

The alert levels do however allow for regional and localised approach, similar to the regional tier system used over the border in England.

The plan sets out four alert levels – from alert level one to alert level four:

Alert level one (low-risk) – this represents the closest to normality we are likely to have before the summer and the widespread take-up of vaccinations.

Alert level two (medium-risk) – additional, targeted controls are put in place to maintain infection rates at lower levels. These may be complemented by more targeted local restrictions to manage specific incidents and outbreaks.

Alert level three (high-risk) – these are the strictest package of restrictions – short of a firebreak or lockdown.

Alert level four (very high risk) – restrictions at this level are equivalent to a lockdown and reflect the seriousness of the situation.