No increase in Covid restrictions in Wales as First Minister thanks public for bringing case rates down

There will be no increase in Covid restrictions following the latest three-week review, the First Minister has confirmed as he thanked people throughout Wales for their hard work in keeping rates down.

Wales will remain at alert level zero, which means all businesses are able to open and trade. Neither will the Covid Pass be extended to hospitality settings in this three-week cycle.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Three weeks ago we were facing a very serious situation in Wales, but everyone has pulled together and cases have fallen back from those record-high levels.

“I want to thank everyone for their hard work and the steps they have taken to protect themselves and their loved ones. Saying yes to the vaccine and crucially to the booster remains an essential step to help keep Wales safe.”

‘Not gone away’

The seven-day rolling infection rate in Wales as a whole is now 498 cases per 100,000 people.

In the latest update from Public Health Wales today, it was reported that 2,350 people had tested positive for the virus. 17 people had died after a positive coronavirus test, taking the total deaths with Covid in Wales to 6,314.

Mark Drakeford said that as people start ti plan for Christmas they needed to keep on working together to bring coronavirus under control.

“The pandemic hasn’t gone away – a fourth wave is sweeping across Europe, with many countries introducing stricter restrictions once again,” he said.

“We will do everything we can to keep Wales open and to keep Wales safe. This means keeping the option of extending the use of the Covid Pass if cases rise again and pandemic pressures on the NHS increase, to help keep the hospitality sector open and trading through the busy festive period.

“We will continue to monitor the public health situation and we will work with the hospitality sector as we prepare for Christmas. Let’s keep working together to keep each other safe – so we can all enjoy Christmas together.”

The outcome of the next review of regulations will be announced on Friday 10 December.