WALES will be facing further changes to its lockdown measures next week but will rules differ from over in England?

People in England will be able to hug loved ones, dine in restaurants and go on holiday abroad from May 17 in a “considerable step on the road back to normality”, Boris Johnson confirmed.

The move to the next stage of the road map out of lockdown on May 17 came as the Covid-19 alert level in the UK was downgraded after a “consistent” fall in cases, hospital admissions and deaths.

First Minister Mark Drakeford is expected to host a press conference on May 14 where he will set out the next set of changes to come into force on May 17.

Coronavirus restrictions across the country are continuing to ease and people can get together with loved ones to enjoy outdoor dining – but strict measures remain in place.

The Leader previously reported that people from six different households will be able to meet in indoor venues next week, confirmed Welsh Government.

Outdoor hospitality has been open in Wales since April but pubs, restaurants and cafes will now be able to welcome customers from next week, May 17.

This coincides with England, which also plans to re-open indoor hospitality on May 17.

But Mr Drakeford is expected to make an announcement on Friday to discuss further the relaxations in Wales at 12.15pm.

Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools have been open again for more than a week in Wales following a further easing of the Covid-19 restrictions on May 3.

Organised children’s indoor activities and indoor adult fitness classes have resumed and two households are able to form an exclusive bubble and meet indoors.

The reintroduction of extended households earlier this month means having contact, like a hug or a cuddle, but it is not yet known when wider social contact will be allowed. Will Wales follow England?

Here’s all we know about what is expected to change from Monday in Wales:

  • Indoor hospitality - pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to open again, but table service will be in place and the rule of six.
  • No announcement has been made on foreign travel, but it is being discussed by ministers. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he expects the rules will be “broadly similar” to those for English tourists
  • All remaining holiday accommodation can re-open.
  • Indoor attractions like cinemas, bowling alleys and theatres, as well as stately homes, are likely to be told they can re-open.
  • If the public health conditions remain favourable, it has been indicated that Wales will move to alert level 2 which means that organised activities, including wedding receptions can be arranged for up to 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. From this date you will be able to serve food and drink both indoors and outdoors.

What about in England?

Boris Johnson also hailed a “considerable step on the road back to normality” on Monday, as he confirmed further restriction easing could go ahead from next week.

  • From May 17 people in England will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30, and indoors in groups of six, or two households.
  • Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors, although they will be limited to table service.
  • Other recreational venues such as cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls will be allowed to reopen. although there will be capacity limits on large events.
  • Up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings, although dancing will still not be allowed, and the cap on the number of mourners attending funerals will be lifted, in line with the safe capacity of the venue.
  • Secondary school pupils will no longer be told to wear face masks in class and communal areas, and university students will return to campus for in-person lectures.
  • The “stay in the UK” restriction will lift and people will be able to travel to “green list” countries without having to quarantine, provided they take one post-arrival test.
  • Accommodation will re-open such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs.