The First Minister, , will tomorrow publish new
plans to help keep Wales open and safe during the difficult
autumn and winter months ahead.
The Welsh Government is publishing an
updated Coronavirus Control Plan, which
outlines the key actions, which could be put in place to control
the spread of the virus.
Wales will remain at alert level zero for the next three weeks,
following the latest review of the coronavirus regulations. This
means all businesses are open and Wales has the lowest level of
restrictions.
Speaking ahead of his press conference, First Minister said:
“We are facing a challenging winter ahead – coronavirus hasn’t
gone away and flu is forecast to return this winter.
“Vaccination is the best defence we have against coronavirus –
the more people who are fully vaccinated, the better our chances
of controlling the spread of this awful virus.
“We will continue to focus our efforts on increasing take up of
the Covid-19 vaccine across the age and priority groups and
rolling out the booster vaccine too. We also encourage everyone
who is eligible, to have their flu jab this year.
“There is also a range of other measures we can all take to help
protect ourselves and our loved ones, such as washing our hands,
reducing the number of people we meet and wearing a face covering
in indoor public places.
“These measures have helped keep us safe throughout the pandemic
and they will also help to protect us from other winter viruses,
such as flu and other respiratory infections.”
The latest version of the Coronavirus Control
Plan sets out two planning scenarios for the pandemic
over the winter – in the first, called Covid Stable, Wales
remains at alert level zero through the autumn and winter, with
all businesses able to open.
This is thought to be the most likely scenario for the future, as
we become used to living with coronavirus and we gradually move
out of the pandemic to a position where the virus becomes a
seasonal illness.
Under this scenario, if case rates fall, measures could be
relaxed further in response, and if they rise, some existing
measures could be strengthened to protect people’s health.
The second planning scenario, called Covid Urgent, is designed to
deal with any sudden changes to the situation, caused by the
emergence of a new, fast-spreading variant or if vaccine immunity
levels fall, causing a rise in pandemic pressures, which risk
overwhelming the NHS.
In such a scenario, the alert level system and restrictions would
be used proportionately, but as a last-resort means, to protect
people’s health, control the spread of infections and to protect
the NHS.
Help keep Wales safe:
- Get your Covid-19 vaccines, including your booster when
invited
- Get tested and self-isolate if you have symptoms
- Outdoors is safer than indoors
- Keep your distance when you can
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering in indoor public places
- Keep indoor places well-ventilated
- Work from home whenever possible
- Use a Covid Pass in nightclubs and large events.
