UK

Wales to introduce 'firebreak' Covid lockdown with everyone required to stay home

Mark Drakeford said the Covid-19 lockdown will come into effect in Wales from 6pm on Friday 
Mark Drakeford said the Covid-19 lockdown will come into effect in Wales from 6pm on Friday  Mark Drakeford said the Covid-19 lockdown will come into effect in Wales from 6pm on Friday 

A two-week "firebreak" lockdown will be introduced across Wales from 6pm on Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

Mr Drakeford told a Welsh government press conference in Cardiff that the measure was necessary to reduce the spread of coronavirus and prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

The "sharp and deep" lockdown will begin at 6pm on October 23 and last until November 9, with everyone in Wales "required to stay at home".

"The only exceptions will be critical workers and jobs where working from home is not possible," Mr Drakeford said.

He confirmed the "firebreaker" will end on November 9 but warned the benefits of it would not be seen within the lockdown period.

"The benefit will be seen in the weeks that follow," Mr Drakeford said.

Under the lockdown, people must stay at home except for limited purposes such as for exercise and must work from home wherever possible.

They are not allowed to visit other households or meet people they do not live with, with no gathering allowed outdoors including Halloween or fireworks and Bonfire Night events.

All non-food retail and hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs - unless they provide take-away or delivery services - must close.

Close contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians, and events and tourism businesses such as hotels, must also shut.

Local parks, playgrounds and outdoor gyms will remain open.

Paul Davies, Conservative leader of the opposition in the Senedd, said: "Sadly, the first minster has failed to get public support for this second Wales-wide lockdown, failing to be open and transparent about the evidence to justify this lockdown and what his actions will entail for the future.

"The Welsh government also has to be honest that this road they are taking us down is committing Wales to rolling Wales-wide lockdowns.

"This is not a two-week break to solve the pandemic, it is likely that we will see regular lockdowns across the rest of the year.

"The Welsh Government must be clear what actions they are taking during the lockdown to prevent further Wales-wide lockdowns which will have a significant impact on people's lives and livelihoods.

"However, the main concern is that this national lockdown is not proportionate.

"The impact on businesses in areas such as Powys, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, who have the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases in Wales, will be severe at a time when they are desperately struggling to recover from the pandemic so far this year.

"The first minister needs to urgently come to the Welsh parliament and answer these questions, to face effective scrutiny by elected representatives and not run his government by media."