The First Minister has today spelt out compelling medical evidence why we can’t just relax the rules and say that anything goes. This weekend marks the end of lockdown in Wales and the start of a gradual evidence-based move out of the Covid-19 restrictions.

From Saturday 13th March, the stay at home message is being replaced by stay local, while the reopening of some outdoor sports facilities will begin and four people from two households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens, which is a significant step for people who have not seen loved ones for a considerable time.

Future decisions about re-opening more shops, businesses and facilities will be made by Welsh Government and will depend on the success of the first phases.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said:

“The vast majority of people living in communities across South Wales have behaved in a responsible manner during the Covid-19 lockdown and have made real personal sacrifices to slow the spread of the virus to save lives and protect the NHS.

“As restrictions ease then it is even more important that everyone takes personal responsibility to keep themselves, their families and friends safe. Let’s keep going and not throw away all the hard work over many difficult months.

“As some restrictions ease, there will be people looking to push the boundaries and break the rules. My plea to them is don’t. While the vaccination programme is making outstanding progress in Wales there are still a huge number of people who are not yet vaccinated so if people don’t follow the rules and think they can go back to normality then we could see another wave of the virus – and we’ve all seen how quickly it can spread through communities.

“There are still people catching the virus every day so we must all play our part by following the rules and respecting each other by staying local, respecting the rules, respecting the emergency services who will be working to keep you safe and respecting their local environment.

“The message from the First Minister Mark Drakeford is absolutely clear and the police and all our local councils are working together to protect the public. We really are all in this together and we need the support of all our partners and the public – with clear messages reinforced by parents and neighbours and the media.

“What has struck me during the response to this pandemic in South Wales is the positive way in which the police and communities have worked together during the lockdown restrictions. There are still clear and sensible restrictions in place here in Wales and we must continue to follow them if we are going to be successful in defeating this virus once and for all.”

Read the Welsh Government announcement here.