Economic growth beats forecasts and Welsh restrictions to ease

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Economic growth beats forecasts and Welsh restrictions to ease

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Friday morning. We'll have another update for you this evening.

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1. Economy grows ahead of expectations
The UK economy grew by 7.5% last year - ahead of forecasts - despite a slowdown in December caused by restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the Omicron variant, according to the Office for National Statistics. Last year's rebound came after a 9.4% collapse in 2020 as the Covid pandemic spread and lockdown rules were imposed.

2. Wales' face mask law could be scrapped in March
The law in Wales requiring people to wear face masks could be scrapped by the end of March, First Minister Mark Drakeford says, as his government relaxes restrictions. Covid passes for entertainment venues will no longer be needed from 18 February. Pupils will not have to wear masks in class from February 28, when the law requiring face coverings in public places, including places of worship, cinemas and museums will be relaxed.

3. University donor pulls support over Covid rules
Durham University's biggest donor has withdrawn his financial support over "ridiculous and ineffective" Covid-19 restrictions. Mark Hillery, who donated £7m between 2015 and 2021, called a decision to reintroduce online teaching for two weeks in January due to a high number of Omicron variant cases in England's north-east "a disgrace".

4. Drinkers shun beer during pandemic
UK beer sales plunged during the pandemic as people avoided pubs and drank wine and spirits at home instead, industry analysis suggests. Pubs, bars and restaurants lost £5.7bn of revenue from beer sales in 2021 alone, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, which is calling for a cut in beer duty to help it recover.

5. Could anti-vaccine protest disrupt the big game?
Many British sports fans will be hunkering down for a late night watching American football's Super Bowl this weekend. But the US Department of Homeland Security is warning police forces the game could be disrupted by a convoy of truckers - similar to that in Canada - planning to block main roads in major cities, by way of protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.