Some pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in Wales will be able to reopen outdoors from 13 July, under new Welsh Government plans.
Venues will be able to open in spaces they own and have licences for – as long as coronavirus cases continue to fall.
But indoor services will remain closed for now, despite industry pressure.
Wales is the only part of the UK without a restart date for indoor hospitality.
More details on the reopening plans are expected at Thursday’s Welsh Government press conference.
The hospitality industry was closed across the UK on 20 March before the coronavirus lockdown fully came into effect.
Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in England are opening from 4 July. They open a day earlier in Northern Ireland.
A Welsh Government spokesman said the first phase will see the reopening of outdoor spaces owned by businesses, subject to existing licenses, “if conditions continue to be favourable and subject to the outcome of next week’s review of the regulations”.
Ministers will consider the reopening of “indoor services” later, the spokesman added, “depending on the success of outdoor opening; the ongoing coronavirus situation in Wales and other measures businesses put in place to reduce the risk of transmission, such as pre-booking, table service only, and even the use of apps”.
The move will come a week after the planned end of Wales’ travel restrictions – due to happen on Monday, 6 July – and self-contained tourist accommodation can also start taking bookings from 13 July.
According to the BBC leaked minutes of a meeting between Welsh Government and council officials show the government is “looking at” allowing 1m (just over 3ft) social distancing for outdoor hospitality.
