Differences between UK nations' Covid-19 response diminish as reopenings gather pace in Wales

As more businesses and industries are told they can reopen in Wales, the picture of the pandemic across the UK, and the respective government approaches that have divided all four nations, is beginning to look broadly the same.

The Welsh Government has confirmed more businesses can reopen their doors and welcome back customers from Saturday.

The list of industries that have been able to get back up and running has grown at a slower rate in Wales than other parts of the UK, particularly England.

But despite stark contrasts in language throughout the pandemic, and tangible variations in law-enforced rules, the easing of restrictions is gathering considerable pace in Wales.

As a result, the differences between the four nations is rapidly diminishing.

So, how does Wales' lockdown fare against the rest of the UK now?

The First Minister has been slower to lift restrictions in Wales, something the Welsh Government said it "will not apologise for". Credit: Welsh Government

The rate of lockdown easing in each country has differed due to varying R rates.

As of Thursday 23 July there have been reports of more than 255,740 confirmed cases in England, 18,500 in Scotland, 17,030 in Wales and 5,876 in Northern Ireland.

The First Minister has been unapologetic in his approach, reminding people that "just because we are able to lift the restrictions further, coronavirus hasn’t gone away."

While quicker to ease regulations, the Prime Minister has also used cautious language, urging people not to become complacent about a potential second wave of the virus.

But in May, the UK Government changed its key message from 'stay' home to 'stay alert'. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland maintained the original slogan.

The 'stay home' message was maintained in Wales despite the Prime Minister changing it to 'stay alert' in England. Credit: PA Images

How has the easing of rules in Wales compared to the rest so far?


  • Travel

First Minister Mark Drakeford has been slower to lift many of Wales' restrictions, something the Welsh Government has said it "will not apologise for".

Since 13 May, people in England have been allowed to travel long distances for exercise.

In Wales, the rule that people must 'stay local' - within five miles of their home - was only lifted on 6 July, almost two months after England.

The First Minister of Scotland took a similar approach to Wales, lifting its own five-mile limit on travel from 3 July.

  • Seeing family and friends

The Prime Minister introduced 'support bubbles' in England on 13 June, meaning people who live alone could spent the night at one other household.

Northern Ireland also announced the same measures at that time, with Scotland introducing 'extended household groups' from 18 June.

Welsh families and friends were told they could do the same from 6 July.

  • Reopening of businesses

Shoppers rushed to English high streets on 15 June, when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen.

Some stores in Scotland started reopening from 29 June, providing their entrances and exits were outdoors. Shops in Northern Ireland opened on 12 June.

Welsh high streets came back to life on 22 June as non-essential shops reopened as businesses were told to introduce safe measures where social distancing could be adhered to.

On 4 July, England reopened many of its businesses including pubs, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas, outdoor gyms and playgrounds and indoor attractions.

In Wales, hairdressers, outdoor gyms, playgrounds, self-contained holiday accommodation, pubs, cafes and restaurants with outdoor space have reopened.

The reopening of indoor gyms in England from Saturday has sparked some frustration from gym owners in Wales. Credit: PA Images

What is still different between Wales and the rest of the UK?


One of the most controversial differences between Wales and England has been the reopening of indoor gyms, with Boris Johnson letting people back into gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities from Saturday 25 July.

Earlier this month the First Minister said the Welsh Government was not currently prioritising the reopening of indoor gyms due to them emerging as a "source of coronavirus infection". He said England was taking the same approach.

Today (24 July) it became mandatory to wear face masks in English shops, two weeks after Scotland did the same. The same rules are also expected to be enforced in Northern Ireland from next month.

The Welsh Government is yet to confirm whether the same rule will be applied in Wales, but a look back at how the country has eased lockdown compared to its bordering countries implies it could be something we see in the coming weeks.

As the divide between all four nations continues to shrink, by the time September hits lockdowns or lockdown rules in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland could look broadly the same.

Find out all the key dates you need to know as lockdown is eased further in Wales