Most of Wales’ remaining Covid rules will be scrapped from Saturday.
Rules on the numbers that can meet indoors will end – nightclubs will be able to reopen, and social distancing laws for workplaces will be axed.
But masks will still be expected to be worn in shops, in health and social care settings, and on public transport.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said his decision to move to the alert level zero set of restrictions did not mean a “free-for-all”.
The Welsh government confirmed the decision on Thursday night, 15 months after the first lockdown began and following weeks of declining case numbers.
The first minister warned “the pandemic is not over yet and we all need to work together to do everything we can to keep this virus under control”.
“Even if you have been fully vaccinated, meeting outside is safer than inside; let fresh air into indoor spaces, get tested even for mild symptoms, and self-isolate when you are required to do so.”
Under the changes:
- There will be no limit on the numbers that can meet indoors, including in homes, public places and events
- Any businesses still closed, such as nightclubs, can reopen
- Laws requiring social distancing in businesses and other organisations indoors will end
It will be the law to wear face masks in indoor public places including shops, buses and trains, but not in venues where food and drink is served.
People will continue to have to self-isolate by law for 10 days if they get Covid. Advice to work from home if you can will also stay in place.
In response to the decision, opposition parties stepped up calls for a Wales-specific inquiry into the Welsh government’s handling of coronavirus.
Laws on social contact indoors have existed since the start of the lockdown in March 2020 – Saturday will be the first time that they have been lifted in their entirety in Wales.
Until Saturday only six can meet in private homes. Rules on meeting outdoors ended three weeks ago.
The rule changes coincide with moves to ease the restrictions on self-isolation.
Those who are fully vaccinated and are found to be a close contact of a positive Covid case will not need to self-isolate from Saturday.
Although social distancing rules will be lifted, companies open to the public and workplaces will have to assess the risk of catching Covid in their buildings.
They will be expected to take “reasonable measures” to minimise the risk of exposure.
That could mean firms continue to use social distancing, use other measures such as ventilation or combine them.
Wedding receptions have been subject to restrictions since March 2020 – but from Saturday those will be lifted.
Jordan and Emily Burns, from Buckley in Flintshire, should have been married in April 2020 – two weeks after lockdown began.
They have rearranged their ceremony four times since and had a small, legal marriage ceremony four months ago. On Saturday, however, they will have the big wedding they always wanted at Ty’n Dwr Hall in Llangollen.
Mrs Burns said: “It’s been only six to a table in wedding – our tables will have 24 people which just seems crazy doesn’t it?
“We’re able to have the ceremony indoors so we’re not worried with the weather. It just takes so much pressure off us as well and we can just look forward to it, be excited and just enjoy the day.”
Stacey Alford, a DJ from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, said the pandemic “pulled the plug” on her career.
She said the music community was excited to see Wales moving to alert level zero, but was aware of the need for caution.
“The general consensus is ‘get us in there, we can’t wait’ – but obviously we want everyone to just take it slowly, enjoy themselves but not be silly.”
The changes mean there will be fewer Covid rules to police.
But Mark Jones, general secretary of the North Wales Police Federation, fears a return to normality for the public will put pressure on officers.
“We’re seeing the first time in near enough two summers where freedom is there, so a lot of people will be coming to visit north Wales and we’re anticipating demands on policing, which means that the thin blue line is going to be stretched even further and further,” he said.