Wales to Expand Use of COVID Pass in 2 Weeks

First Minister Mark Drakeford speaking at a National Coronavirus Commemorative Event outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, Wales, on March 23, 2021. Matthew Horwood/Handout/Welsh government via PA

COVID passes will become compulsory in Welsh theatres, cinemas, and concert halls in two weeks, First Minister Mark Drakeford said on Friday.

Self-isolation rules are also changed on Friday, to include vaccinated adults and children.

Drakeford said the government may also reintroduce more legal restrictions, as well as further expand the use of COVID passes in three weeks—when the next review on the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus alert level is due.

In a televised press conference on Friday, the first minister said the CCP virus alert level in Wales currently remains at level 0, but the number of cases is “so high.”

He announced a number of measures, including changes in the rules on self-isolation and COVID passes, and warned of further restrictions if the measures can keep the infection rate at bay.

COVID Pass

COVID passes showing proof of full CCP virus vaccinations or negative lateral flow tests are currently required in Wales to enter nightclubs, unseated indoor venues for more than 500 people, and other venues with a capacity of over 4,000 people.

However, the legal requirement will expand into theaters, cinemas, and concert halls from Nov. 15.

Drakeford also told the hospitality industry to get ready, in case COVID passes will be required in three weeks’ time.

Self-Isolation

Before Friday, only people who test positive for the CCP virus and unvaccinated adults who are close contacts to those who test positive have to self-isolate for 10 days.

Now, fully vaccinated adults and children aged between five and 17 will also need to self-isolate until they have a negative PCR test if they live in the same household as someone who has tested positive.

Unvaccinated adult contacts are required to self-isolate for 10-days even if they test negative.

Drakeford said the £750- ($1,026)-a-week self-isolation support payments will “continue to be available for people who are eligible.”

Other Measures

Apart from the two changes in legal requirements, Drakeford announced four more measures regarding schools, work places, face coverings, and vaccination.

The government is expected to publish a “toolkit” next week to “help schools with higher numbers of cases to introduce more protections more quickly,” Drakeford said while urging staff and secondary school students to take free lateral flow tests twice a week.

He also urged employers to “help more people to work from home over the next three weeks.”

Retailers will be asked to “do more to raise awareness of the legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops.”

By Monday, all eligible care home residents will have been offered a booster dose of a CCP virus vaccine, and all 12- to 15-year-olds will also have been offered CCP virus vaccinations.