‘No more lockdowns in 2020’

THE “firebreak” in Wales is likely to be the last lockdown for the country until at least the end of the year, the Welsh Government has said.

The news comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed new national lockdown measures for England, after scientists warned half a million people were being infected with coronavirus each week.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has said a new national set of rules imposed after Monday, November 9, should be sufficient to see Wales through to the new year.

Speaking to Times Radio, he said: “We’ve been clear that we’re acting at this point, we’re acting to have a definitive firebreak.

“We’ll see the benefit of that come after the firebreak ends.

“We’ve also been very clear with the new national set of rules we’ll have, we all need to do our bit and we as a government have a continuing responsibility to look at what’s happening and act on the basis of the evidence.”

He said they won’t hesitate to act further if the situation demands it, but the plan is to reach 2021 without further intervention.

“We want to get to the end of the year, but if we need to act further before the end of the year then, of course, we’ll be prepared to do so.

“But our aim is to have a clear settlement that allows us to get to the end of the year without this form of intervention again.”

Asked whether another lockdown can be ruled out completely before January, Mr Gething said: “None of us can know where exactly we’ll be in six weeks’ time let alone three months’ time.

“It would be foolish and just not honest to tell the public that we can rule out measures at some point in the future.”

He added: “In the future, we may have to act but this is what we think we can do if we all buy into a new way of living, to think of what we can do, to allow us all to get to the end of the year.

“And then, of course, we’ll have to reassess the position that we’re in.”

The Welsh Government’s Cabinet was due to meet yesterday to discuss any potential border issues in light of Number 10’s annoucement.

On Friday, Mr Drakeford confirmed a “simpler” set of national coronavirus restrictions would be adopted across Wales when the “firebreak” lockdown ends.

Under the “firebreak” rules in Wales, people can only leave their home for limited reasons such as to buy food and medicine, provide care or take exercise, and must work from home where possible.

Leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses are closed, along with community centres, libraries and recycling centres, while places of worship are shut other than for funerals or wedding ceremonies.

Non-essential items must not be sold in shops such as supermarkets that are allowed to remain open during the 17-day period, though customers can ask to buy such products by exception.

Details of what the new national restrictions will be next Monday are due to be announced by the First Minister today.

He will warn that new national measures will only help keep coronavirus under control if everyone adapts their behaviour.