WALES is to go into a national lockdown from midnight tonight after growing fears about the new strain of coronavirus.
This afternoon England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty put out a statement saying a new Covid variant, which is prevalent in the south and east of England, “can spread more quickly”.
Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon announced they will hold press conferences following the news.
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh First Minister, annouced level four lockdown restrictions will be brought forward to apply across the country from Sunday and festive bubbles can be formed for Christmas Day only.
Drakeford said the pattern of transmission in London and the South East of England, linked to the new variant of coronavirus, is “remarkably consistent with the rapid acceleration of transmission in Wales” in recent weeks.
In a statement, Drakeford said the latest evidence suggested that the new strain is present “throughout Wales” and said this required an “immediate response”.
The Welsh Government’s Cabinet met on Saturday to discuss the “worrying new development in the pandemic”, as well as advice from senior medical and scientific advisers, including the impact on NHS Wales.
“The situation is incredibly serious. I cannot overstate this,” Drakeford said.
“We have therefore reached the difficult decision to bring forward the Alert Level 4 restrictions for Wales, in line with the action being taken in London and the South East of England.
“These new restrictions will come into effect from midnight tonight instead of during the Christmas period.”
Earlier today, Boris Johnson announced that from Sunday, areas in the South East of England currently in Tier 3 will be moved into a new Tier 4 – effectively returning to the lockdown rules of November.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson announces Christmas plans cancelled for millions in England
Non-essential shops, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and bowling alleys will be forced to close for two weeks – while people will be restricted to meeting one other person from another household in an outdoor public space.
The rest of England will also see the Christmas “bubble” policy – allowing up to three household to meet up over the holiday period – severely curtailed, applying on Christmas Day only.
Nicola Sturgeon announced similar restrictions at 5.30pm tonight after her emergency Cabinet meeting.
She said the easing of restrictions of indoor household mixing will now only apply on Christmas Day and all of Scotland will be placed into Level 4 restrictions from Boxing Day.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon 'desperately sorry' to announce new Scottish lockdown
The restrictions will be reviewed after two weeks, Sturgeon said.
The FM said she is "desperately sorry" to announce the new measures.
Sturgeon said: “In order to reduce the risk of more of the [coronavirus] strain being imported into Scotland, we intend to maintain a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
“Unfortunately, and I am genuinely sorry about this, that ban will remain in place right throughout the festive period.
“We simply cannot risk more of this new strain entering the country if we can possibly avoid it.
“That means people from Scotland not visiting other parts of the UK, and vice versa.
“Cross-border travel for all but the most essential purposes is not permitted.”
Christmas holidays for most Scottish pupils have been extended to January 11 and the majority will begin the new term studying from home.
The First Minister said schools will reopen as currently scheduled for some pupils, such as children of key workers.
But for most pupils, the new school term will begin on January 11, with online learning until “at least” January 18.
RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson hold conferences as Covid cases rise
Addressing Twitter this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon said she had taken part in a four-nations call and will shortly chair a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting on the new variant.
Although Scotland’s coronavirus infection level is lower than in other parts of the UK she issued a strong warning.
“Cases currently at lower level in Scotland than rUK - but preventative action may be necessary to stop faster spreading strain taking hold,” she warned.
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