INDOOR visits to care homes will be allowed in Wales this Saturday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began.

First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed new rules on care home visits as part of a number of eased lockdown restrictions, including four-household bubbles and socially-distanced weddings and funerals with up to 30 attendees.

Care home residents have been among the most at-risk groups from Covid-19, accounting for around a quarter of Wales' total deaths since February.

Mr Drakeford said visitors will have to prearrange their visit and that care homes may still only allow one visitor per resident during each visit.

"We appreciate how hard it has been for families not seeing their loved ones and the impact restrictions on visiting care homes is having on people’s emotional, mental and even physical health," the First Minister said.

"In an effort to address this we have been working closely with partners and intend to allow indoor visits to care homes to recommence from Saturday, August 29, subject to the strict controls set out in the guidance and conditions remaining favourable.

“While coronavirus remains effectively suppressed in Wales and cases continue to fall, the situation in the rest of the UK and further afield is still problematic.

"Coronavirus has not gone away and so, as we move out of lockdown and look to the future, it is important we do this in a careful and cautious way.”