Wales will go into full lockdown with Tier 4 restrictions for three weeks from December 28, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
Non-essential shops in Wales must close from the end of trading on Christmas Eve, alongside close-contact services, including hairdressers.
All hospitality premises will close at 18:00 on Christmas Day.
Essential shops may remain open, in line with the previous lockdown.
Only two households – plus an additional single person who lives alone – will be permitted to meet during the festive period. This will become law.
The news comes despite a previous agreement between the UK nations to allow three households to mix between December 23 and December 27.
Mr Drakeford explained how the situation in Wales was “extremely serious”, with one in five coronavirus tests returning a positive result.
More than 2,100 people, “equivalent to five full general hospitals” are currently being treated in the NHS with Covid-19.
Related Articles
