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Covid: Pubs in Wales to close at 10pm from Thursday | Covid: Pubs in Wales to close at 10pm from Thursday |
(32 minutes later) | |
Pubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales will have to shut at 10pm every night under new measures to control the rising rate of coronavirus. | |
The rules, to come into force on Thursday, follow a decision by the UK government to do the same in England. | |
In a broadcast address, First Minister Mark Drakeford called for people to avoid unnecessary travel. | |
Sales of alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets after 10pm will also be stopped. | Sales of alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets after 10pm will also be stopped. |
Hospitality businesses will be required to provide table service only. | |
In the recorded statement, Mr Drakeford said there was a very real possibility that Wales could see the virus "regain a foothold in our local communities, towns and cities". | |
"This is a highly infectious virus, we cannot let it take a hold of our lives again. We have come too far to let that happen," he said. | |
The changes are in addition to the local lockdown restrictions now in force in six areas of Wales, meaning people cannot travel in or out of them without a good excuse such as work or education. | The changes are in addition to the local lockdown restrictions now in force in six areas of Wales, meaning people cannot travel in or out of them without a good excuse such as work or education. |
Pubs there already have to shut at 11pm, meaning closing times in the six areas will move an hour earlier. | |
Public Health Wales figures reported 281 further cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest number of cases since April. | Public Health Wales figures reported 281 further cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest number of cases since April. |
Mr Drakeford said a £500 payment would be provided - as the UK government has offered in England - for those on low incomes to help them if they need to self-isolate. | |
Some of the actions taken elsewhere are already in place in Wales, he said. "We need to go on working from home wherever possible." | |
He reminded viewers that only six people could meet indoors from a single extended household, and asked them to "think carefully about making journeys." | |
"The fewer people we meet and the fewer journeys we make, the safer we all are," he said. | |
Mr Johnson, Mr Drakeford and senior politicians from Scotland and Northern Ireland spoke in a Cobra meeting earlier on Tuesday. | Mr Johnson, Mr Drakeford and senior politicians from Scotland and Northern Ireland spoke in a Cobra meeting earlier on Tuesday. |
In the Commons Boris Johnson, who is responsible for coronavirus rules in England, said restrictions could last six months. | |
The Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board, covering Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf, has warned it is a "matter of weeks" before a sharp rise in hospital admissions in the area. | |
Contempt' | |
The tightening of restrictions comes amid a row with opposition politicians over whether the announcement should have been made in the Welsh Parliament first. | The tightening of restrictions comes amid a row with opposition politicians over whether the announcement should have been made in the Welsh Parliament first. |
Presiding officer Elin Jones told the Senedd earlier she had been told final decisions "aren't likely to be made until a little before" 20:00 BST on Tuesday. | Presiding officer Elin Jones told the Senedd earlier she had been told final decisions "aren't likely to be made until a little before" 20:00 BST on Tuesday. |
After the news of the restrictions broke, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price accused the Welsh Government of treating the Senedd with contempt. | After the news of the restrictions broke, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price accused the Welsh Government of treating the Senedd with contempt. |
Welsh Conservative Andrew RT Davies said it was disrespectful to Ms Jones, a Plaid Cymru Senedd member who oversees the Welsh Parliament. | Welsh Conservative Andrew RT Davies said it was disrespectful to Ms Jones, a Plaid Cymru Senedd member who oversees the Welsh Parliament. |