Wales has announced that it is easing certain coronavirus restrictions a week earlier than previously planned.

“Improvements” in the public health situation mean two households will be able to meet indoors from 3 May – with gyms and leisure centres also set to open ahead of schedule.

On Thursday, it was announced that COVID cases in Wales had dropped to under 21 per 100,000 this week.

The number of people with coronavirus in hospital was at 89 – the lowest figure since 22 September.

This – combined with the vaccination programme – has prompted Wales to accelerate some plans to relax lockdown.

Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people will now be able to take place from 26 April instead of 3 May – including wedding receptions.

Gyms, leisure centres and other fitness facilities will then be able to reopen from 3 May instead of 10 May.

The dates are “subject to the public health situation remaining favourable”, the Welsh government said, and this schedule is set to be confirmed on 22 April.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The public health situation in Wales continues to improve thanks to everything you are doing to help us control this awful virus.

“Cases of the virus are falling and our incredible vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength.

“Last week, we set out our programme to further reopen the economy and relax the restrictions we have lived with for so long, as part of our careful, step-by-step approach to keeping everyone safe.

“This week, because of the improvements we continue to see, we can bring forward some of our plans.

“This is only possible because of the efforts everyone is making to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The relaxation of restrictions on Monday is due to continue as planned, with schools returning and the borders between Wales and the rest of the UK reopening.

Related posts:

Up to 60m doses of COVID vaccine to be manufactured at Barnard Castle, PM says Calls for ‘swift and decisive action’ over complaints of sexual abuse in schools No more isolation for fully vaccinated arrivals from France, as India moved off red list Priti Patel visits Greece for discussions on tackling illegal migration No ‘free-for-all’: Wales set to move to alert level zero – but FM warns it ‘does not mean end of restrictions’ Geronimo the alpaca set to die after No 10 refuses stay of execution Ministers face difficult decision on whether to overrule JCVI’s finding on vaccinating children ‘Sausage war’ truce holds as UK indefinitely extends grace period for post-Brexit checks PM refuses to rule out more tax rises ahead of next election as he defends National Insurance hike 12 to 15-year-olds to get ‘final say’ over COVID jab if disagreement with parent occurs ‘Brazen excuses were dreamed up’: Ex-PM says deliberate lies over No 10 parties must be ‘fatal’ to careers Johnson seeks to leave domestic strife at home on whistle-stop diplomacy mission