Coronavirus restrictions in Wales and Northern Ireland are being eased today in response to falling cases of infection.

Both nations are reporting to have passed the Omicron peak, as leaders moved to relax the COVID-19 rules on Friday, but continued to urge caution.

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It comes as England is to scrap its Plan B measures next week with the ditching of mandatory face coverings in public places and coronavirus passports, while Scotland is also to lift curbs on Monday.

What is changing in Wales?

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Wales has moved to alert level zero for all outdoor activities.

This means crowds will be able to return to outdoor sporting events and there will be no limits on the number of people who can take part in open air activities.

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The rule of six and two-metre social distancing are also being lifted for outdoor hospitality.

COVID passes will continue to be required for entry to larger outdoor events of more than 4,000 people if unseated and over 10,000 people if seated.

They will also still be needed for cinemas, theatres and concert halls.

From 28 January, working from home, while still advised, will no longer be a legal demand.

Social distancing and rule-of-six requirements will also end, with nightclubs able to reopen and pubs no longer be restricted to table service.

Rules around self-isolation and face masks will remain in force, with a review of all measures on 10 February.

What is changing in Northern Ireland?

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From midday on Friday, people in Northern Ireland will no longer be restricted to table service and sitting in groups of six at restaurants, pubs and bars.

The current three-household limit on gatherings inside private homes will also be scrapped, but no more than 30 people will be allowed to stay overnight.

The required self-isolation period following a positive COVID test is also being reduced – providing people have negative lateral flow test results on days five and six – in line with the rest of the UK.

The guidance on working from home will be relaxed to working remotely “where you can”, while people will no longer be required to prove they are exempt from wearing a face mask in public spaces.

From 26 January, nightclubs will be able to reopen and vaccine passports will no longer be required to go into venues like pubs, restaurants and cinemas.

They will remain a requirement for nightclubs and indoor events that are unseated or partially seated with 500 or more people.

Social distancing requirements in offices and other workplaces will also be lifted next Wednesday.

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