At Alert Level Zero in Wales, from 7 August 2021, there are no legal limits on the number of people who can meet, including in private homes, public places or at events. The Church in Wales has issued updated guidance, extracts of which are reproduced below [emphasis in original]; this will be followed by advice from the Representative Body, specific to the Church, on how to develop risk assessments in this new environment.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance

Update: 6 August 2021

Coronavirus Statement from the Bench of Bishops 7th August 2021

Welsh Government has today announced a move to Alert Level Zero for Coronavirus-Covid 19.

• See Alert level 0: summary

This broadly means the lifting of most legal restrictions on activities.

Even at Alert Level Zero, there three key legal requirements that must be observed:

1. Organisations must undertake a written coronavirus risk assessment of their premises and activities and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to, and the spread of, coronavirus based on that risk assessment.
2. Everyone must still self-isolate for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive and you are not fully vaccinated you must also self-isolate for 10 days as instructed by the Test Trace Protect system.
3. Adults and children over 12 must (with limited exceptions) wear face-coverings in indoor public places (including churches and halls), with the exception of hospitality settings such as restaurants, pubs, cafes or nightclubs.

Churches and halls that have already opened have done so with a risk assessment approved by their Archdeacon or other nominated person. These risk assessments were backed up by clear legislative requirements and government guidance. Under Alert level Zero, these risk assessments and the associated mitigation measures are much more a judgment for each PCC/MAC.

General guidance has been provided by Welsh Government at:

• Alert level 0: guidance for employers, businesses and organisations

You should read this guidance as it sets out clearly the main ways in which Coronavirus is spread and some key control measures you should consider.

The Representative Body will shortly publish updated advice, specific to the Church, on how to develop risk assessments in this new environment. Welsh Government has also provided a generic risk assessment at:

• Public premises and workplace COVID-19 risk assessment

In general terms, we recommend that churches and church halls should continue with their current risk assessment arrangements as they will provide a secure basis for restricting the transmission of Covid-19.

[Risk assessments might be reviewed taking into account a number of issues, listed in the update.]