Decision Expected Over 'Circuit-Breaker' Lockdown For Wales

First Minister Mark Drakeford will make an announcement this lunchtime.

Travel in and out of Wales is now permitted
Author: Lauren JonesPublished 19th Oct 2020

We'll find out this lunchtime whether Wales is facing another national lockdown.

The Welsh Government has been in talks with scientific advisers over the weekend discussing measures including a so-called "circuit breaker" lockdown.

A leaked letter suggests pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could shut from Friday for 17 days.

Last week, Mark Drakeford admitted Wales needed to take further action to help control the spread of Covid 19 and protect the Welsh NHS.

He said: "All the indicators we keep a close eye on show that we have reached a critical point.

"The R number for Wales is back up to 1.4 and these figures means that around 2500 people are being infected every day.

"I have to tell you that we face a very serious situation today in Wales. Unless we are able to get coronavirus back under control there is a real risk that our NHS will be overwhelmed.

"There are no easy options to bring the virus back under control.

"Once again we will all have to act together to bring the levels down and to keep them down over the winter ahead."