Mark Drakeford has warned that Omicron will be the dominant Covid variant in the UK by the turn of the year as he told the Welsh public to brace for a "large wave of infections".
The First Minister has confirmed the introduction of new Covid rules in Wales from December 27 while it's already been confirmed that the start of the school term will be delayed in January to allow head teachers to prepare for continued disruption.
Go here to see all of our rolling Covid coverage and reaction to Mr Drakeford's announcement.
This is the First Minister's speech in full:
“Prynhawn da. Thank you for joining me once again today.
“As I explained last week we are keeping a very close watch on the public health situation following the emergence of the new Omicron variant. That variant is here in Wales and it is already spreading.
“We have moved from a three-week to a one-week review of the coronavirus regulations so that we have the right measures in place to keep Wales safe.
“I plan to update you today about the very latest situation and the decisions the cabinet here in the Welsh Government has taken to keep us all safe this Christmas.
“At the moment the vast majority of coronavirus infections in Wales are caused by the Delta variant. We are still dealing with the Delta wave in Wales.
“That is the form of coronavirus which caused the large peak of cases earlier in the autumn. The rate remains high across Wales but it is high and stable – stable at around 500 cases per 100,000 people.
“We believe that the Delta form will continue to be the main cause of coronavirus infections in Wales up to Christmas.
“But this is the calm before the storm. We are seeing cases of Omicron increasing every day in Wales – and across the UK. There are around 100 confirmed cases in Wales and they are to be found in every health board area.
“By the end of December it will be the dominant form of the virus in the UK.
“This is a very fast-moving form which is easily transmitted from person to person. It has spread rapidly throughout England and Scotland.
“Because of how easily Omicron is transmitted and its ability to infect large numbers of people we know that this could translate into large numbers of people being admitted to hospital.
“We are already seeing increases in the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in London and we have to be prepared for the same thing to happen here too.
“The decisions made by cabinet yesterday are designed to keep us safe up to Christmas while Delta is still dominant and then to put in place need stronger measures to protect us after the Christmas period when we have to prepare for a large wave of infections.
“Nobody wants to be ill at Christmas. So today we are setting out new guidance and strong advice to help keep us all safe and well.
“This is a virus that thrives on human contact. Every time we meet with other people there is an opportunity for the virus to spread or us to catch it.
“The Omicron variant particularly likes big gatherings and enclosed spaces where it can easily move from person to person.
“If you can please reduce the number of people you meet – especially if you’re seeing older or more vulnerable people over Christmas.
“To stay safe in the run-up to Christmas we strongly advise everyone to follow these measures to stay safe: get vaccinated – the single most important thing you can do. If you’ve had your booster appointment please make this your priority; if you’re going out, going Christmas shopping, or visiting people – flow before you go. Take a lateral flow test. Of course if it’s positive then don’t go out at all; remember that meeting outdoors is better than indoors. If you’re meeting indoors make sure it’s well ventilated; spread out your socialising – if you’re seeing family and friends don't see them all in one go; and don’t forget about social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands.
“Some places and people are especially vulnerable to this disease. Updated guidance about care home visiting will be published before the end of this week. The chief medical officer will be writing to everyone on the shielding list about the steps they can take to protect themselves in the Omicron context. And we will be changing the law to make it clear that people must work from home wherever we can.
“This year, without any doubt at all, a smaller Christmas will be a safer Christmas.
“Because we expect cases of Omicron to increase rapidly after Christmas we will introduce new restrictions on December 27 to help control its rapid spread and to prevent large numbers of people needing hospital care.
“We will be drawing on elements of the alert level two regime. Many of these will be familiar to you because they were used to keep businesses open in a safe way earlier in the pandemic.
“Shops, workplaces, and businesses will re-open here in Wales after Christmas but with those new protections in place. There will be a strengthened set of reasonable measures, which will include a return to the two-metre rule for social distancing. It means that shops, businesses, and workplaces will need to make some extra changes to the way they operate – putting in place extra measures such as one-way systems and physical barriers.
“Nightclubs will close from December 27. We are having further discussions with sector representatives, our public health advisers, and sporting bodies about major events which are planned in the post-Christmas period.
“For all of those reasons financial support of up to £60m will be available to businesses materially affected by these new restrictions. We are working with partners about how that support can most effectively be delivered and further details about the practicalities of it will be available as quickly as possible.
“Our ability to provide and sustain longer-term economic support during this new wave of what is an ongoing public health emergency is severely constrained by the current position of the UK Treasury and its refusal to open vital support schemes such as furlough.
“These schemes should be available for all nations when they are needed and not just at the point at when restrictions are introduced in England.
“We have been able to manage coronavirus here in Wales with the lowest level of restrictions in place for the last six months.
“We had all hoped for a new year in which the pandemic would become a fading memory. But sadly Omicron poses a new threat to our health and to our safety. It is the most serious development in the pandemic to date.
“It is one that we must take seriously and put in place proportionate measures to protect people’s lives and livelihoods. As ever, we have learnt that together we can keep Wales safe.
“Let me end by wishing everyone a happy and, above all, safe Christmas.
“And on your behalf I want to thank everyone working this Christmas to keep the rest of us safe – especially those who have had to cancel their own plans to work in the vaccination centres to increase our protection against this awful virus.
“Nadolig llawen pawb a ddiolch o galon i chi gyd.”
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