Pub beer gardens in Wales will be allowed to reopen next Monday, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

The First Minister said that changes are coming in over the weekend that will see six people allowed to meet outdoors from Saturday, April 26.

Outdoor hospitality will then follow on Monday, April 26. Further relaxations that will come into force from Monday will also be announced on Friday, but it is not yet known what these will include.

The current rule provides for up to six people, not including children under 11 years of age or carers, from a maximum of two households to meet outdoors. The new will extend that to mean six people, still not including children under 11, from different households to meet.

The rules for meeting indoors remain unchanged.

First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “The public health context in Wales remains favourable, with cases falling and our vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength.

"Because meeting outdoors continues to be lower risk than meeting indoors, we are able to bring forward changes to allow any six people to meet outdoors.

“This will provide more opportunities for people, especially young people, to meet outdoors with their friends. This will undoubtedly have a significant positive impact on people’s wellbeing.

“I’m also pleased to confirm outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen from Monday, April 26.

“These changes will help the hospitality sector recover after a difficult twelve months.

“It is thanks to the continuing efforts of people across Wales we are able to introduce this change. Together, we will continue to keep Wales safe.”

On Friday, April 23, Mr Drakeford will confirm further relaxations to the covid rules that will come into force on Monday 26 April 2021.