COVID passes and the need to wear face coverings in certain venues will be scrapped in Wales 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”.

Mr Drakeford said: “With increasing numbers of people vaccinated and boosted and thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone across Wales, we are confident that coronavirus rates are falling and we can look forward to brighter times ahead.

“We can start to gradually and carefully remove some of the remaining protections we have in place at alert level zero.

“But we are not removing all the measures at once because the pandemic is not over yet.

“To keep Wales safe we need to remain cautious and do everything we can to reassure those who feel most at risk.”

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Meanwhile, in Scotland, students and teachers in secondary schools will no longer need face coverings in the classroom from the end of this month.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the change – from 28 February – is a “further step in allowing children and young people a return to a more normal experience in school after many, many months of sacrifice”.

Face coverings will still be required in other communal, indoor areas within high schools, she added, but this will be kept under “regular review”.

The news came 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.