Welsh outdoor hospitality and hairdressers to open from Monday

10 July 2020, 00:05

Wales is set to lift some lockdown restrictions
Wales is set to lift some lockdown restrictions. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

The Welsh First Minister is set to give outdoor hospitality and hairdressers the green light to reopen from Monday.

He will announce a three-week package that will see swathes of the Welsh hospitality sector reopen for the first time in three months.

On Friday, Mr Drakeford will announce that hairdressing salons can reopen, as well as restaurants, pubs and cafes with outdoor areas.

Playgrounds and community centres will open from 20 July.

The beauty industry, including tattooists, can start preparing to reopen on 27 July.

In a statement, the Welsh government said: “First Minister Mark Drakeford will today announce a three-week package of measures to further lift Wales’ coronavirus restrictions.

"The measures will be phased in every Monday over the next review cycle and will see large parts of Wales’ visitor, hospitality, leisure and tourism industries re-open.

"Pubs, cafes and restaurants will open outdoors and hairdressers, barbers and mobile hairdressers will re-open by appointment from Monday (13 July).

"Playgrounds and community centres will open from 20 July, ahead of the summer holidays.

"The First Minister will also today signal to the wider beauty industry, including tattooists, to begin to prepare to re-open from 27 July, if conditions allow.”

Wales introduce 'traffic light' system for easing Coronavirus lockdown

On Thursday, the "stay local" travel requirement for Wales was lifted, meaning people no longer have to remain within five miles of their home.

The First Minister of Wales urged visitors to the country to behave safely and respectfully as restrictions lift.

Holidaymakers will be able to travel into and around Wales for the first time since lockdown measures were introduced in March.

Outdoor attractions can also reopen, allowing the tourism sector to restart from July 11, if conditions allow.

People from two households will be able to form one extended household from Monday, enabling families to be reunited.

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, said: "We live in such a beautiful part of the world and I know many of us are looking forward to visiting beaches, the countryside and our many beauty spots.

"People throughout Wales have done so much over the last few months to follow the rules and help reduce the spread of coronavirus - I thank them for their patience and understanding. I ask them to continue in this spirit.

"Unfortunately, over the recent weeks we've seen the results of people not treating parts of Wales with respect, with crowds leaving piles of litter in their wake.

"This selfish behaviour is a blight on our beauty spots and puts people at risk.

"While many footpaths and car parks are reopening, not all facilities will be available in every location straight away."