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Wales announces scrapping of COVID passes and face coverings in certain venues

The news comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the last domestic restrictions in England - including the requirement to isolate if you test positive - are likely to be lifted later this month.

From 18 February, domestic COVID passes will no longer be required to enter indoor or outdoor events including nightclubs, cinemas, or theatres.

But venues will still be able to use them if they choose to.

From Monday 28 February, face coverings will no longer be needed in most public places, including gyms, cinemas, and churches.

They will still be required in all shops, public transport, and health and care settings.

The Welsh government will confirm the changes on Friday during the first three-week review of the country's coronavirus measures.

Anyone who tests positive with COVID-19 will still have to remain at home for five days and have a negative lateral flow test on days five and six.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said vaccination levels and decreasing infection rates mean the country can "look forward to brighter times ahead" as it moves beyond "the emergency footing on which we have been operating for nearly two years".

Source: Sky News

Antibodies against coronavirus (COVID-19)

The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 suggests that a person has previously had COVID-19 infection or been vaccinated.

An estimated 98.1% of the adult population in England, 97.7% in Wales, 98.7% in Northern Ireland and 98.3% in Scotland tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies in the week beginning 10 January 2022.

The percentage of adults who reported they have received three or more COVID-19 vaccinations has increased rapidly since September 2021. Estimates show that 82.1% of adults had three vaccine doses in England, 73.9% in Wales, 70.4% in Northern Ireland and 74.4% in Scotland in the week beginning 10 January 2022. These vaccination estimates will differ from daily official government figures, which are actual numbers of vaccines recorded.

Testing negative means that an individual did not have enough antibodies to be detected in the test, not that they do not have any immune protection against the virus.

Source: Office for National Statistics