First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed that two households, within 5 miles of each other, can meet up in Wales from next Monday.
There will be no cap on the numbers of people from those households although they must meet in gardens and not inside a house and they must remain two metres apart.
The Minister, appearing on Good Morning Britain, said: “You must not go into the house. If visiting another household’s garden, people should access it where possible by not entering the house. If you have to go through the house, do not touch anything.”
“We’re going to do one thing at a time” added the First Minister, and that the safest option remains to see as few people as you can.
Mark Drakeford will announce the full list of changes at Friday’s press conference at 12.30pm.
Mr Drakeford is expected to say: “We know people have missed seeing their families and friends over the last three months while the stay-at-home regulations have been in place.
“From Monday, people from two different households in the same local area will be able to meet up outdoors.
“They must continue to maintain social distancing and strict hand hygiene.
“We are also asking people to stay local – by local we mean, as a general rule, not travelling more than five miles from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading as people begin to travel more.
“There will be exceptions – for example, travelling to work, to seek care and shopping for essentials if they aren’t available locally.
“Staying local will help keep Wales safe.”
People have been told to stay home except for work, exercise and shopping for essentials since late March.
Wales’ exercise restrictions are more stringent than England’s – people have been told to stay local and not to drive.
Most non-essential retail has been forced to close, alongside pubs and restaurants.
Exceptions include supermarkets, garden centres and pharmacies.
Schools are closed, but some remain open providing childcare for the children of key workers.
R Number
Health Minister Vaughan Gething has said that the R number – the rate that coronavirus is spreading – is the biggest factor in determining when lockdown measures can be eased.
If the R number is R2, it means a sick person is likely to transmit the virus to two other people.
The latest Welsh Government analysis suggests Wales’ R rate remains between 0.7 and 1, “but still below 1”. Officials want it to remain below one.
It is believed that an R of 0.8 would lead to 500 additional coronavirus deaths by the start of August and as many 7,000 if R reaches 1.1.
