WALES is set for a third 'lockdown' as Alert Level 4 measures are to be introduced from Boxing Day.

First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed the move this lunchtime, which will see non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, hospitality businesses and holiday accommodations close.

The restrictions, equivalent to a 'firebreak' or full lockdown, permit only essential travel, but schools, places of worship and parks will remain open.

Indoor and outdoor attractions would be closed but wedding ceremonies and funerals could continue with limited numbers and without a reception or wake.

When will this take effect?

Some measures will come into force on Christmas Eve with all non-essential retail, including close contact services and all leisure and fitness centres forced to close from the end of the day.

All hospitality premises will be forced to close from 6pm on Christmas Day.

But tighter restrictions for household mixing, staying-at-home, holiday accommodation and travel will only apply from December 28, with the planned easing of Covid restrictions over Christmas remaining in place between December 23 and 27.

These new restrictions apply to the whole of Wales.

When will it end?

Mr Drakeford said it would be reviewed after three weeks, with a view to varying the measures between different regions.

What did Mr Drakeford say?

Mr Drakeford told the Welsh Government press briefing on Wednesday: “Many of you will have seen the warnings from senior clinicians about the huge impact coronavirus is having on the whole of our health service.

“The situation we are facing is extremely serious. We must move to alert level four and tighten the restrictions to control the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

“This new set of higher-level restrictions will apply to the whole of Wales.

“This means all non-essential retail, including close contact services and all leisure and fitness centres will close at the end of trading on Christmas Eve.

“All hospitality premises will close from 6pm on Christmas Day.

“And on December 28, at the end of the five day Christmas period, tighter restrictions for household mixing, staying-at-home, holiday accommodation and travel will apply.”

Mr Drakeford said there had been a "sustained rise in coronavirus in our communities and in our hospitals" since Friday.

The number of people in hospital in Wales with coronavirus has risen to record levels, the equivalent to five full general hospitals dealing with people ill enough to require hospitalisation with the virus.

What about Christmas?

First Minister Mark Drakeford told the Welsh Government briefing: “Here in Wales, the position is that only two households should come together to form an exclusive Christmas bubble during the five-day period.

“The fewer people we mix with in our homes, the less chance we have of catching or spreading the virus.

“None of us wants to be ill this Christmas. And we don’t want to give coronavirus to our close family or friends.

“The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has provided special advice for people who were previously shielding about mixing over Christmas.”

Help for businesses

Funding has been made available to business affected by the new restrictions into the New Year, with more detail to be given out by the end of this week.

Mr Drakeford also urged all those who can work from home to do so.