Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

Wales confirms 'firebreak' lockdown as country ordered to stay home for two weeks

Wales has confirmed a two-week "firebreak" lockdown.

The Welsh Government will introduce the shutdown in Wales from 6pm on Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

He said the move needed to be "short and sharp" to curb the rising rates of coronavirus. He said the measure was necessary to reduce the spread of coronavirus and prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

Everyone in Wales will be required to stay at home, working from home wherever is possible.

The only exception will be critical workers and those who can not work from home.

Mr Drakeford said that the measures were necessary to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed (BBC)

All retail, luxury and tourism businesses will close, as will libraries and recycling centres. Places of worship will be closed, except when being used for funerals and weddings.

However, child care will stay open - as will primary and specialist schools. Secondary school pupils in years 7 and 8 will attend school, as will those sitting exams.

Meanwhile, university students will have to stay home in their university accommodation. Members of different households have also been banned from gathering.

Although, the exception for social bubbles will remain.

Mr Drakeford said that an extra economic resilience fund of £300m has been created to fund the restrictions.

Wales has already seen protests over restrictions (PA)

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.

New rules will be introduced after the lockdown (PA)

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.

The Welsh Government said a new set of national rules would then be introduced following the lockdown period.

They will cover how people can meet as well as how the public sector and businesses operate.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.