Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that all non-essential retail shops in Wales can re-open from 22 June.

The announcement is seen as the biggest unlocking of the Wales coronavirus (Covid-19) regulations so far.

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Drakeford said that retail shops in Wales can start trading with safety measures in place to comply with the physical distancing rule.

In the coming three weeks, a series of measures will be introduced gradually every Monday.

Drakeford said: “The threat of coronavirus hasn’t gone away but thanks to the efforts we have all made over the last few months, the number of people contracting coronavirus each day in Wales is falling, so too is the risk of meeting somebody with the virus.

“Given the progress we have made, we are able to take some additional cautious steps to further unlock our society and economy. This includes more retailers being able to re-open their businesses, as long as they take measures to minimise the risk to their staff and to the customers who visit their stores.”

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Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has also confirmed that street-access retail and outdoor markets can reopen from 29 June.

The stores can trade by maintaining physical distancing and hygiene measures, as well as placing limits on the number of customers allowed to shop.

In its route map, the government said: “We now expect and encourage the general public to wear face coverings if they are entering shops where 2m physical distancing will be challenging and where there is a risk of close contact with multiple people they do not usually meet.”

Personal retail services will reopen in Phase Three.

Last month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that all non-essential retail in England will reopen from 15 June.