By Ben Kerrigan-
A two-week “firebreak” lockdown is to 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.
The announcement has not gone well with the opposition.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said a “firebreak” lockdown would be a “short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock, slow down the virus and give us more time”.
Under the strict measures, all non-essential retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses will close “just as they had to during the March lockdown”.
Community centres, libraries and recycling centres will also close while places of worship will be shut other than for funerals or wedding ceremonies.
Childcare facilities will stay open, with primary and specialist schools reopening after the half-term break.
Secondary schools will also reopen after half-term but only for children in years seven and eight, though students taking exams will be able to attend for them.
Public Support
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.”