Lockdown will be extended in Wales next week, says first minister

The lockdown announced in response to the coronavirus outbreak will be extended beyond the initial three weeks in Wales, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced.

At a meeting of the Welsh Assembly, held by video conference, Drakeford said: “I must be plain with all members - these restrictions will not end then. We will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save by abandoning our efforts just as they begin to bear fruit.”

Drakeford said he had discussed the matter with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, secretary of state for health Matt Hancock, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and the secretary of state for Wales, Simon Hart.

“There is more work to do with reviewing the regulations and receiving the most up-to-date scientific and medical advice.

“The efforts we are all making are not yet over. They will not be over next week. Before the restrictions can be lifted and the return to normality begins there is more for all of us to do,” he added.

Drakeford said the precise nature of what will follow the current regime will be agreed over the coming days.

The stay-at-home regulations, which came into effect on 23 March, were implemented separately in each of the UK's four nations. The government in Westminster originally said it would review the measures after three weeks and relax them if the evidence shows this would be the right course of action. Ministers are expected to discuss and review the UK lockdown over the coming days and urge people to stay at home during the Easter weekend.