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Plans for three small-scale outdoor arts and sports events in Wales, with up to 100 people, as a trial have been announced by the first minister.

Mark Drakeford said outdoor performances proposed by Theatr Clwyd would be allowed from 27 August.

The triathlon Return to Racing competition at Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire, without spectators, has been given the go-ahead.

A car rally at Trac Mon racing circuit on Anglesey has also been allowed.

Mr Drakeford said said parents and pupils could have confidence schools would reopen "successfully" in September.

Speaking at Friday's press briefing, he said Wales had a "unique experience" in the UK from the way schools were able to reopen before the summer break and "we have learned a great deal from that".

"We are putting the successful and safe reopening for schools right at the top of our agenda," he added.

But he stressed that if coronavirus did not "remain at the very suppressed level it currently is", schools could be the first areas of society to be considered for closure.

Mr Drakeford said the aim of holding the arts and sports events over the coming weeks was to "learn from how we can safely hold outdoor events while maintaining social distancing".

"We will trial three small-scale events, in partnership with the events organisers, local authorities and other stakeholders, to see if they can be carried out in a safe way, with a view to supporting the sector and making the most of the remaining summer months where we can spend time outdoors," he said.

"We will also learn from pilots being conducted across the UK, in reopening professional sport and indoor theatre to supporters and audiences, so we base our decisions on the best possible evidence available.

"We will continue to talk with event organisers about the possible resumption of some other activities later in the autumn."

The Welsh Government said the events would be subject to strict risk assessments.

Earlier, Mr Drakeford told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "In three weeks' time, if these events have been successful and the virus remains effectively suppressed, I hope I can say those sorts of events can become more routinely available in Wales."

He also announced that indoor visits to care homes will be able to resume in Wales from 29 August, under "strict" rules to be set out in guidance.

Casinos will be allowed to reopen on the same date, with both moves subject to coronavirus remaining under control.

Mr Drakeford confirmed that up to four households will be able to join together in an "exclusive extended arrangement" from this weekend.

Currently an extended household can only be made up of two households, but from Saturday that cap will double - a plan that was announced last week.

A meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral will also be allowed for up to 30 people indoors, if social distancing can be maintained, from 22 August.

'Being careful, being cautious'

Mr Drakeford told Friday's press briefing 500 businesses had been closed since March after breaking coronavirus regulations.

He said incidents had been witnessed and reported to the police and local authorities "which are plainly not within the rules".

Earlier he said things "continue to improve" in Wales, but that the picture across the UK was "challenging".

"We cannot think that we are immune from everything elsewhere. So while things remain benign in Wales, I want us to go on being careful, being cautious, doing things one step at a time, so that we can try and sustain our positive position for as long as we can," he said.

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Karen Healey, general manager of Tregwilym Lodge nursing and residential home in Rogerstone, Newport, said she was "slightly tentative about" opening the care home to visitors, as 21 residents had died from Covid-19 up to the end of June.

"Although we will be opening our home up, we will have to do in a staged approach because, quite clearly, what we can't afford is to open up the home and to cause another pandemic," she said.

"We are also very mindful that there could be a second wave coming.

"I have a duty to protect my staff and, more importantly, my residents."

Lee Dirkzwager, 72, from Cardiff, who has been shielding, said: "I did venture out on Sunday, very tentatively, quite nervous actually.

"I didn't enjoy it and came back to what I now call the norm, which is isolation. I think it's going to take a long time to adjust.

"I'm nervous to meet even family... I suppose I've become somewhat institutionalised being on my own," she said.