COVID-19: Wales imposes new coronavirus restrictions with social distancing, nightclubs closed from 27 December | UK news

[ad_1]

Wales will introduce new restrictions on social distancing and nightclubs will close from December 27 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus Omicron variant.

The new, tougher restrictions will also affect businesses and services and will include additional measures to protect customers and employees – such as one-way systems and physical barriers.

The rules will also be changed to include the requirement to work from home where possible.

People are advised to follow five steps for a “Safer Christmas”, before the new rules come into effect.

COVID news live: Professor Chris Whitty predicts Omicron wave ‘will peak very quickly’

Five measures

Get vaccinated Do a lateral flow test before you go Christmas shopping or visit people Outdoors are better than indoors. If you must meet indoors, make sure it is well ventilated, keep distance between social events and allow at least one day between events, wear a face mask and wash your hands

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Delta will continue to be the main cause of coronavirus infection in Wales until Christmas. But we are seeing omicron cases increasing rapidly every day in Wales – and across the UK.

“We need a plan to keep us safe this Christmas and we need stronger measures to protect us afterward, as we prepare for a major wave of oomicron infections.

“Omicron represents a new threat to our health and safety. It is the most serious development in the epidemic to date.

“It is something we must take very seriously. We will continue to put in place proportionate measures to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

“This is a virus that thrives on human contact. Every contact we have is an opportunity for us to spread or contract the virus.”

The Welsh government has announced up to £60m to support businesses affected by the new rules.

Catch up on daily broadcasts on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker

But news of the recent restrictions has been met with resentment by members of the hospitality industry.

Michael Keel, chief executive of the Night Industries Association (NTIA), said: “We have been surprised by the actions of the Welsh government this evening, the continued targeting of nightclubs and the late-night sector of the economy has gone too far.

“It is very clear that the Welsh government has intentionally placed restrictions on an industry without supporting evidence.

“Nightclubs and the late-night economy have been at the extreme end of the pandemic, and the public health strategy within Wales has supported for more than two years, with lockdowns and mounting debt.

“We have been put in an untenable position and we will now have no choice but to go out to fight.

He added that “the sector will study its legal options after this announcement.”

It comes after the Welsh cabinet met twice today to decide how to deal with the new alternative, amid concern over the growing number of cases in the UK.

Dr Frank Atherton, Wales’ chief medical officer, had previously advised people to reduce their social contacts.

He told BBC Wales: “We desperately need to prioritize what we want to do at Christmas, for me, it’s about seeing the family.”

“It’s not about going to the bar, it’s not about going to a nightclub, and it’s not about going anywhere crowded or indoors.”

On Thursday, Wales reported another 2,889 cases of COVID-19 and 33 cases of Omicron.

Please use Chrome browser for an accessible video player

2:25 Inside Omicron’s spread data

This brings the total number of cases of the new variant in Wales to 95, due in part to a change in how the breed is classified.

However, Dr Meng Khao, from Public Health Wales, said, “A rapid increase is expected over the coming days and weeks.”

Last week, the health minister, Elonid Morgan, warned of new restrictions “likely” in the face of a “tsunami” of infection from the omicron variant.

At the three-week review last Friday, Prime Minister Mark Druckford announced that reviews will now take place on a weekly basis due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant.

He urged people to get a booster vaccine and increased the number of vaccination clinics with extended opening hours.

[ad_2]