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Wales will enter a national lockdown starting at midnight tonight, earlier than initially planned, following mounting concerns about the spread of a new strain of coronavirus.
The prime minister said that the situation is “serious” and that the country will enter alert level four from midnight.
The rules had to be relaxed to allow people to celebrate the holidays with families from December 23-28, however the rules will only be relaxed for Christmas Day only, just like in England.
What are the Alert Level 4 restrictions?
The Level 4 restrictions are similar to those that were applied to Wales in the original lockdown at the start of the pandemic and the fire that ended in November.
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Non-essential retail, close contact services, gyms and leisure centers and hospitality will close.
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Stay-at-home restrictions will also go into effect starting at midnight.
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Only essential travel would be allowed, unless you have a ‘reasonable excuse’.
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People will be encouraged to work from home if they can.
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Extended homes would not be allowed, and you can only mix them with your home or support bubble.
How does this affect Christmas?
Initial plans to loosen the rules from December 23 to 27 have been scrapped. Instead, no more than two households will only be able to meet on Christmas Day.
The prime minister confirmed that it would be illegal to form a bubble with more than two households.
Following emergency talks, Drakeford said the Welsh government had to “respond quickly to rapid changes.”
Today has been one of those days when new information has required an immediate response. This afternoon, the Cabinet met to discuss this disturbing new development in the pandemic and to hear the latest advice from our senior medical and scientific advisers, including the impact on our NHS. ”
” The situation is incredibly dire. I cannot overstate this. We have therefore made the difficult decision to advance the alert level four restrictions for Wales, in line with the measures being taken in London and the south-east of England. ”
The Welsh conservatives supported the decision. Party leader Paul Davies MS said he “appreciates the need for a more severe restriction.”
“I know that many people will be disappointed because they expected to see their loved ones this Christmas, but with the emerging evidence, it is clear that the Christmas bubble arrangements must change.”
The new strain, which has been linked to the faster spread of Covid-19 in southern England, was identified in Wales earlier this week. The Welsh Government said it hopes more will be identified.
Mark Drakeford said the strain is “significantly more infectious and spreads faster.”
As of Saturday, more than 3,000 people have died from the virus in Wales. Infection rates have risen in 20 of the 22 local authorities over the past seven days, and the seven-day moving average now exceeds 1,000 cases per 100,000 in two areas.
Boris johnson homes listed in London and South East England mixing will be prohibited during the festive period, while in the rest of England, three households will be limited to meeting indoors on Christmas Day alone.
London and the South East will also move to a level 4 starting at midnight, with lockdown restrictions taking effect.
