Welsh Government will today reveal its next steps to tackle an increase in Covid cases - with a difficult balancing act between reducing the spike and the damage to the economy of a "circuit break".
Last week First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Government was considering a "fire-break" - with a short, sharp version of the lockdown seen in March.
Since then more details have emerged on the measures under consideration as briefings are held with local authorities and other stakeholders.
BREAKING: Circuit break lockdown confirmed by Welsh Government
A source at one of the briefings told
- Two/three week circuit breaker coming into force on Friday, October 23.
- Stay at home message (similar to spring lockdown) - apart from essential work and medical.
- All hospitality and non-essential retail to close.
- Indoor activities to stop - including closure of leisure centres.
- Parks and cemeteries to stay open
Primary schools to return after half term BUT secondary schools to remain closed for two/three period with remote learning for pupils. This will include the one week of half term and then an additional week or two, depending on the length of the circuit breaker.
Since then a letter was leaked to political website from the Confederation of Passenger Transport which seemed to confirm a circuit breaker decision had already been made.
In the letter to members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Wales director John Pockett said lockdown would start at 18:00 on 23 October and end on 9 November.
But Mr Pockett has since told the Press Association he was assuming what would happen.
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"The letter is genuine and it contains what I assume or surmised would be the position," he said.
"It was me advising my bus operator members to be prepared for something and this is what it may well be."
Economic impact
Business and tourism leaders have voiced huge concerns over the potential impact of a further spring style lockdown on the Welsh economy.
In March, Wales locked down at the same time as England but was slower to reopen the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors.
There was a major boost from mid-summer as staycations boomed and restaurants were busy, partly supported by the chancellor's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
But local lockdowns - which come with travel restrictions - cut short an Indian summer for those sectors, with many hotels and restaurants shutting temporarily once again.
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There is also now a travel ban on people from other parts of the 海角视频 with high Covid infection rates.
Many have warned that a new national lockdown could be the final nail in the coffin for many businesses and cost tens of thousands of jobs.
They are demanding that any national lockdown has to come with comprehensive financial support.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said concern being voiced about the economic impact "weighs heavily" on ministers.
Timetable
Welsh Government said on Sunday evening: "Ministers have held a number of meetings over the weekend with senior Welsh Government officials, scientists and public health experts to consider their advice on a potential need for a ‘fire break’ set of measures to control the virus.
"The Welsh Cabinet met this evening to consider that advice. The Cabinet will meet again tomorrow morning to make a final decision. The First Minister will update the people of Wales on any decisionstaken tomorrow."
The First Minister will address the Welsh nation in a press briefing at 12.15pm today.