A leaked document has revealed that Wales could be entering a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown this week that will see the region go back into the restrictions first imposed in March.
Over the weekend, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said the nation’s devolved government was looking ‘very carefully’ at introducing a circuit-breaker lockdown in Wales to curb the rising infection rate in the region.
The ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown would see pubs, restaurants and hairdressers closed and household mixing discouraged.
If enforced, it is thought that the Welsh ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown will last until at least Monday November 9, when schools will be due to go back after half-term.
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When will the Welsh ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown start?
A leaked letter suggests that Wales will enter a 17-day lockdown this week, from Friday October 23 onwards.
The letter, from the Confederation of Passenger Transport union, suggests that the circuit-breaker lockdown will be implemented in Wales on Friday evening, from 6pm.
If introduced, the Welsh ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown would follow in the footsteps of decision made by the Scottish government to curb the growing number of Covid-19 cases regionally.
Scotland is currently in the midst of a 16-day ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown that has seen pubs closed and public socialising restricted.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is also calling for a shorter ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdowns to be introduced in England, as coronavirus cases jumped by 17,000 in just one day.
If implemented, these shorter lockdowns could be used sporadically by the Government over the next six months to help control the virus and as a way of trying to avoid the need for another prolonged, full nationwide lockdown.
What time is the announcement today?
It is understood that a final decision on the strict lockdown rules for Wales was made yesterday and an announcement regarding the change in restrictions will be made at lunchtime today.
MORE: Lockdown forced 11,000 shops to close their doors for good
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/19/when-will-the-welsh-circuit-breaker-lockdown-start-and-what-time-is-the-announcement-today-13443441/