Welsh lockdown extended by a further three weeks

Lockdown measures in Wales will be strengthened as a new, highly infectious strain of coronavirus continues to circulate, the First Minister has said.

Speaking at the Welsh Government's daily press briefing, Mark Drakeford said the new strain has quickly taken a "firm foothold" in north Wales, where cases of the virus are rising quickly.

He added that the new strain is expected to become the dominant form of the virus in south Wales too.

It had already been confirmed that the level four lockdown restrictions introduced at midnight on December 19 will remain in place until at least January 29.

Today, Mark Drakeford told journalists that safety measures would be strengthened for shops, workplaces and schools.

Mr Drakeford told journalists: "We will be strengthening the alert level four measures in three main areas.

"First, we will work with our major supermarkets and retailers to make sure that people are safe when we go out shopping.

"I want to see at least the same level of protection today as was very visible in the early period of the pandemic.

"Those who work and shop in supermarkets need to be confident that the numbers in those stores are carefully and consistently controlled and that all other measures are in place to keep us all safe."

Mr Drakeford said he has received more correspondence on safety in shops than almost any other issue.

He there was some "anxiety" from the public that the visible protections in shops in the early days of the pandemic were, in some cases, no longer as apparent.

Although there is no evidence that the new strain causes a more serious illness, it is adding to the pressure on the Welsh NHS, the First Minister said.

He added: "Most young people will now be taught online until January 29. Unless there is a significant reduction in cases of coronavirus by the next review, this will continue until the February half term.

"Vulnerable learners and children of critical workers will continue to have face-to-face learning and childcare remains open.

"We will use the coming weeks to work with our scientists, unions and local authorities to plan for the future.

"This will not be a simple choice between closing schools and colleges now and reopening them in February."

He said the Welsh Government was looking at the "possibilities for a phased and safe return of some students during this period, such as those studying for qualifications, the youngest children who find distance learning the most difficult and vulnerable children."

Mr Drakeford told journalists:

• More than 2,700 coronavirus-related patients are being cared for in Welsh hospitals today

• There are now 143 people with coronavirus in critical care beds.

• The number of people in critical care has reached the highest point in the pandemic.

Ministers have just carried out a three-weekly review of the current restrictions. The next update will be on January 29.