FDF Cymru

At Alert Level Zero, from 7 August 2021, there are no legal limits on the number of people who can meet, including in private homes, public places or at events. In addition all businesses and premises may be open.

Certain rules will be kept in place as it’s considered that collective responsibility is needed rather than personal choice.

1. Businesses, employers and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to, and the spread of, coronavirus.
   
   Guidance for businesses can be found at Alert level 0: guidance for employers, businesses and organisations
2. Regarding self isolation, Wales is the first UK nation to change the policy with an exemption to self-isolate if you have had both vaccinations 14 days before, however  everyone must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19.  If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive and you are aged 18 or over and not fully vaccinated, you must also self-isolate for 10 days.
   
   

   Note that in a cross border context its is the place of residence that defines which self isolation rules to follow given differences between Wales and England.

   If you have specific questions on any aspects of testing contact Covid19.WorkplaceTesting@gov.wales

3. Adults and children over 12 must continue to wear face-coverings  in indoor public places, with the exception of hospitality settings such as restaurants, pubs, cafes or nightclubs.
   
   

   Wider guidance for the public is also available at: Alert level 0: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES

Q: The rules on 7th August state that there is no isolation required if you are a close contact and you are either under 18 or fully vaccinated – does this also apply if someone in the same household tests positive? i.e. My partner tests positive but I have no symptoms and am fully vaccinated – is there no longer a requirement for me to isolate?

Close contacts who have received their full vaccination (and 14 days have since elapsed) are not required to self-isolate. They are however advised to get a test as soon as possible and again on day 8, particularly if they are symptomatic. This includes a household contact of a positive case.

Q. For those already in 10 day isolation due to close contact does this mean their isolation can end on 7th August even if they would have had to isolate until after this date under the old guidance? (i.e. if someone has been contacted today to self-isolate due to close contact then their isolation under current rules ends on 12/08/2021 – does this mean they can now end their isolation on 07/08/2021)? Can be released on August 7.

Contacts are able to end their isolation period on 7th August provided that they have received their full vaccination 14 days prior to contact with the positive case, or are under 18.

Q: With the changes coming to Wales on the 7th, do you know if close family contacts who have received both vaccinations will not have to isolate? e.g. your wife has symptoms and gone for a test, will you not have to isolate if double jabbed whatever the result?

Close contacts who have received their full vaccination (and 14 days have since elapsed) are not required to self-isolate. They are however advised to get a test as soon as possible and again on day 8, particularly if they are symptomatic. This includes a household contact of a positive case.

Q: In terms of self-isolation, are the rules government by the employers location – in their case Wales – or employees residence which in many cases will be England and hence they may apply to the self-isolation exemption for food and drink businesses?

The Welsh Regulations and associated guidance apply to those who live in Wales. If a person is contacted by a Welsh contact tracer whilst they are in England (for work/holiday) and are notified to self-isolate, the guidance/legal obligations will apply and they should return home immediately. Similarly, it would be expected that if an English person is contacted by a contact tracer in England, they should follow the advice that they are given and self-isolate if notified to do so.

Q: As from the 7th, we plan to communicate that employees who are double jabbed don’t have to isolate if a member of their household or bubble get symptoms or test positive. This is how we read the available guidance and I’d appreciate clarity if not.

Your statement is correct, however if contact with the positive case occurred less than 14 days prior to the individual receiving their full vaccination, they would be required to isolate. Consideration should also be given to whether the contact is displaying symptoms. In such instances it is highly recommended that they take a PCR test as soon as possible and isolate until the results are known.

Please also see the Statement via the link below:

Written Statement: Changes to self-isolation for people who are fully vaccinated (29 July 2021) | GOV.WALES

Businesses in Wales still affected by coronavirus restrictions will be able to claim up to £25,000 more in support to help meet ongoing costs.

This latest support package will help those businesses, which remain affected by restrictions, to meet ongoing costs through to the end of June as they prepare for re-opening and more normal trading conditions.

Businesses that stand to benefit include:

• nightclubs and late entertainment venues
• events and conference venues not covered by the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF)
• hospitality and leisure businesses, including restaurants, pubs and cafes
• supply chain business, which have been materially impacted by restrictions

An eligibility checker will open on the Business Wales website at midday on Monday 17th May so businesses can find out how much support they are likely to be entitled to and how to apply.

Businesses will be able submit applications by the end of the month and they will receive between £2,500 and £25,000 depending on their circumstances. Funding will be calculated based on the size of the business and the type of restrictions they are under.

This support is in addition to the Welsh Government’s £610 million non-domestic rates relief which will mean more than 70,000 retail, leisure and hospitality businesses pay no rates in 2021-22.