Wales moved fully into alert level zero on Friday as coronavirus cases began to stabilise, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced.

However a review of level zero rules and regulations are due to take place next week .

And facemasks will still be mandatory in most indoor public places including on public transport.

The move to the new alert level zero on Friday completes the Welsh Government’s phased lifting of the alert level two protections, put in place on Boxing Day as the omicron wave swept across the country.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the relaxation of protections was possible thanks to the hard work of everyone in Wales and the success of the vaccination programme - more than 1.8m booster doses have been given.

And, since the start of December, more than 36,000 people have come forward to have their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Speaking on Friday (January 28) First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We have passed the peak of this omicron wave and there are encouraging signs that cases of coronavirus may be starting to stabilise.

’’But we all need to continue taking steps to stay safe - unfortunately the pandemic is not over yet.

"We are moving to alert level zero and we will retain some important protections, such as face coverings in most indoor public places and risk assessments.

"We can do this thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone in Wales and the remarkable success of our vaccine and booster programmes. Thank you all."

Wales completed the move to alert level zero on January 28 . This means:

Nightclubs can re-open.

The general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces will be removed.

The rule of six will no longer apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.

Licensed premises will no longer need to only provide table service and collect contact details.

The Covid Pass will continue to be required to enter larger indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.

Working from home will remain important but it will no longer be a legal requirement.

Businesses, employers and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus, which may include 2m social distancing or controlled entry.

Face-covering rules, which apply on public transport and in most public indoor places will remain in force after January 28, with the exception of hospitality settings such as restaurants, pubs, cafes and nightclubs.

Everyone must also continue to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus but the Welsh Government has reduced the self-isolation period from seven to five full days.

People are advised to take two negative lateral flow tests 24 hours apart on days five and six.

The self-isolation support scheme payment will return to the original rate of £500 for all those who are eligible.

The next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations will be carried out by February 10, when all measures at alert level zero will be reviewed.

Meanwhile Economy Minister Vaughan Gething is calling on UK Government to replace Wales’ lost £1bn in "levelling up" drive

The Welsh budget will be nearly £1 billion worse off by 2024 as a result of the UK Government’s failure to honour its commitment that Wales would not lose "a single penny" as a result of the UK leaving the EU, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, has revealed today.

Speaking ahead of the imminent publication of the UK Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, the Minister is calling on the UK Government to respect devolution and replace Wales’ missing £1 billion.

The Minister said the ’drift and indecision’ that has characterised UK Government Levelling Up plans is now costing Wales jobs and development projects.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

"More than two years on from the grand promises made by the Prime Minister, it is now clear that Wales is being left with less say, over less money.

"Drift and indecision in Whitehall is costing our least well off communities jobs and projects at the worst possible time. Last year’s Spending Review confirmed that the UK Government has broken its promise to replace EU funding for Wales in full and there is no sign that the White Paper will change this.

"If the UK Government had kept its promise, Wales would have been receiving £375m in new money each year from January 2021. Instead Wales’ share of post EU funds stands at just £46.8m in 2021/22.

"Our own analysis shows that the Welsh budget will be £1 billion worse off by 2024.

"This is not "levelling up", it’s levelling down."