Wales will lift its last remaining restriction on COVID, the prime minister said.
Wearing a face cover in healthcare facilities – the only legal requirement left – will end on Monday (May 30th).
Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said Wales could expect a “brighter future”, but urged people to continue to take steps to protect their health, such as self-isolation if they have COVID symptoms and maintaining good hand hygiene.
He said the pandemic had “a profound impact on our entire lives”, but that after a sharp drop in cases, “we can go beyond the emergency response while still living safely with the virus”.
“I want to thank everyone for everything you have done to protect yourself and your loved ones. You have followed the rules and kept Wales safe,” he added.
Mr Drakeford said ministers would continue to monitor new and emerging options.
Wales was the last nation in the United Kingdom to still have legal rules for COVID.
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Infections continue to decline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but have risen slightly in Scotland, according to the National Statistics Office (ONS).
His latest weekly survey estimates that 1.1 million people in private households in the UK had the virus in the week leading up to 21 May. The previous week was 1.3 million.
In Wales, the estimated number of people infected is 1 in 55 (down from 1 in 40 the previous week); in Scotland 1 in 40 (above 45); 1 in 80 in Northern Ireland (down from 1 in 60); and in England 1 in 60 (down from 1 in 55).
COVID patients in hospitals in Wales have also fallen below 650, the lowest level since December.
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