IF Wales moves to alert level zero on August 7, all premises would be able to open and most – but not all – restrictions will be removed.

In that scenario, the restrictions will be replaced with the ongoing requirement for all organisations and businesses to carry out Covid risk assessments.

There would also be no legal limits on the number of people who can meet others indoors, including in private homes.

Face coverings will continue to be required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport, with the exception of hospitality settings.

Announcing the aim to lift remaining coronavirus restrictions in Wales from August 7 under a new alert level zero, First Minister Mark Drakeford warned there was still a risk the third wave “could cause real harm”.

He said: “We are entering a new phase of the pandemic. Cases of the virus have risen sharply since the delta variant emerged six weeks ago but, thanks to our fantastic vaccination programme, we are not seeing these translate into large numbers of people falling seriously ill or needing hospital treatment.

“We can be reasonably confident that vaccination has weakened the link between infections and serious illness.

“But there is still a risk that this third wave of the pandemic could cause real harm – either direct harm from the virus or indirect harm from, for example, people having to isolate.

“We can move to alert level one for indoor spaces from 17 July and go further for outdoor spaces because we know the risk of transmission outdoors is lower.

“We are also publishing plans for a new alert level zero, which will have fewer legal restrictions but which will still need all of us to take steps to protect ourselves.”

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative group in the Senedd, said the announcement was "better late than never."

He said: “Welsh Conservatives welcome this long-awaited clarity from Labour ministers, and we are pleased that they have listened to our calls to publish a detailed plan for easing restrictions and restoring freedoms in Wales.

“Whilst we regret the Welsh Labour Government has been the last government in Britain to publish a plan, it is a case of better late than never, and the lifting of restrictions will ensure we can get our economy and public services on the road to recovery.

“Thanks to the hugely successful vaccination programme, we have made great progress in restoring our normal way of life, with the link between cases and hospitalisations severely weakened.

“There will never be a perfect time to lift all restrictions and sadly no date will come with zero risk, but with the vaccines working, we need to start the important job of rebuilding the Welsh economy.

“With some restrictions set to stay in place for at least another three weeks, and Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay sitting on £1.2 billion of unallocated funding, it’s vital this is now used to support those businesses still affected.

“We have to learn to live with this virus, and we must all continue to carefully manage the risks and exercise personal judgment when going about our lives.