Welsh Six Nations games to be played in Wales

14-Jan-2022 - Last updated on 14-Jan-2022 at 14:18 GMT

Restarting recovery: Restrictions on hospitality businesses to be lifted as of 28 January with crowds back at sporting events the week before (Credit: Shutterstock/ComposedPix)

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed Wales’s Six Nations rugby matches are to be hosted in Wales as planned after restrictions were lifted, offering a chance for hospitality businesses in the country to recoup some revenue from lost trade over Christmas.

In the first stage of the four-step roadmap to alert level 0, Wales will see up to 500 people allowed at outdoor events from Saturday 15 January, followed by crowds returning to sporting events and no limit on outdoor events from Friday 21 January, hospitality operating without restrictions on Friday 28 January and finally, Wales returning to a three-week review cycle on Thursday 10 February.

Welsh Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The news that restrictions in Wales will be lifted from the end of January is fantastic for pubs and brewers.

Restart recovery

“Of course, every day of trading counts, especially in light of the huge loss of trade over the festive period, and we would love to have been open earlier. The average pub in Wales lost more than 30% of income over the two-week Christmas period, which has hit bottom lines incredibly hard.

“We will continue to work closely with ministers in Wales to ensure brewers and pubs in Wales, so vital to the visitor economy, can restart their recovery in earnest.

“The ongoing support of the Welsh Government will be important to make sure Welsh brewers and pubs bounce back as quickly as possible.”

Passed the peak of Omicron

Drakeford also announced despite hospitality venues being able to operate without restrictions, working from home will also no longer be a legal requirement as of 28 January, but Covid passports will be required for large events, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Drakeford said: “The data and the science are saying to us that we appear to have passed the peak of Omicron and are coming down very rapidly on the other side.”