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Wales Health Minister says cancelling Christmas is 'last thing want to do' but that 'nothing off table'

Eluned Morgan said boosters remained the best way of protecting Wales but that country will need 'multiple layers of protection'

Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan

Extra restrictions will be needed to control the growth of the Omicron variant of Covid in Wales says Welsh Government's Health Minister.

Eluned Morgan held a televised briefing today to update the progress of the booster vaccine campaign as Government pledges to offer everyone who is eligible a third jab date by the end of December.

Wales is currently neck and neck with England when it comes to the percentage of the eligible population given booster vaccines with 40.7% and 40.8% respectively.

Omicron cases remain low in Wales but are growing rapidly in England and Scotland - with º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of a "tidal wave" of infections.

Overall Covid cases remain stable in Wales and hospitalisations are well down on the same time last year.

She said the message was still that the booster campaign was the best way protecting Wales as concerns grow about how quickly Omicron cases could grow in the coming weeks.

But the minister added: "I want to be clear that while vaccination is our best defence against coronavirus we will need multiple layers of protection and measures in place from a large wave heading our way.

"We have already taken step to increase protection but we are likely to need more as the variant becomes embedded in our communities. If we do need this we will keep you updated."