IT was the day so many businesses and their customers have been waiting for, as coronavirus restrictions eased further on Monday, and non-essential shops were allowed to reopen their doors for the first time since before Christmas.

Children returned to face to face education, post-16 learners returned to further education, and training centres and university campuses opened for blended face to face learning for all students.

Viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment, and outdoor canvassing for the forthcoming Senedd elections elections will now begin across the country.

Restrictions on travelling into and out of Wales were also lifted - although restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area, without a reasonable excuse, remain in place.

But whilst restrictions have been lifted, public health chiefs are urging caution and advising that people still maintain social distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene. Other restrictions on household mixing also still remain in place.

Dr Christopher Williams, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “As restrictions are eased we need your continued support to control the spread of Coronavirus.

“As schools return please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus. When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat.

"Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay indoors, even if they are in the same bubble at school. We need to continue to limit the numbers of people we meet socially to minimise spread of the virus. Please continue to work from home if possible.

“This slight easing of Coronavirus lockdown rules is encouraging, however while the number of cases is declining overall, we remind the general public that that Coronavirus has not gone away, and that there is still a large number of people who have not been vaccinated.

"It is therefore vital that we all maintain constant vigilance, by keeping two metres apart from people that you don’t live with, practicing hand hygiene, and wearing a mask in indoor environments.

“Welsh Government restrictions state that you should not go into any other household or mix indoors with other people who you don’t live with. Currently a maximum of six people from two households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens.”

The next set of relaxations is scheduled to include gyms and leisure centres opening from May 3 - instead of May 10  Two households will be able to bubble up to meet indoors from the same date.

Wedding receptions outdoors for up to 30 people will also be allowed from April 26, also moving forward a week - and pub beer gardens will reopen once again.

Safety, however, remains the priority.