WALES will be put under a stay-at-home lockdown from December 28, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today.

Non-essential shops and those providing close-contact services, such as salons, will close from the end of trading on Christmas Eve.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants will close from 6pm on Christmas Day.

It follows an agreement by UK nations to continue to allow three households to mix between December 23 and 27.

But Mr Drakeford told a press conference that in Wales that “only two households should meet” over Christmas. 

On December 28, tighter restrictions for household mixing, staying at home, holiday accommodation and travel will apply.

This new set of “Level 4” restrictions will be applied to the whole of Wales and will be reviewed after three weeks.

Mr Drakeford said that the situation in Wales was “extremely serious” as one in five people is testing positive for the virus.

More than 2,100 people, “equivalent to five full general hospitals” were being treated in the NHS with Covid-19, he said.

The number of people in intensive care, 98, with coronavirus is at the highest level during this second wave.

Mr Drakeford said: “Everyone who can work from home should do so now.”

He added: “Local authorities will now take decisions about the range of services they provide, such as libraries, leisure centres and recycling centres ahead of Christmas.”

The Level 4 restrictions are similar to those put in place in Wales during the first lockdown at the start of the pandemic, and its 17-day firebreak lockdown that ended in November.

People would have to stay at home and would only be allowed mix with those in their household or support bubble. 

Only essential travel would be allowed, unless there is a “reasonable excuse.”