Lockdown restrictions will come into effect in Wales from midnight on Saturday, while festive bubbles will only apply on Christmas Day.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the rules would mean non-essential retail, close contact services, gyms and leisure centres and hospitality would close at "end of trading" on Saturday.

His announcement came after a meeting with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as Michael Gove, on the new strain of coronavirus.

The new strain is "significantly more infectious and spreads more quickly" than the original one, Mr Drakeford said.

He detailed how the pattern of transmission in London and the South East of England, which has been linked to the new variant, is "remarkably consistent with the rapid acceleration of transmission in Wales" and the high case rates seen in recent weeks.

Mr Drakeford said the latest evidence suggested that the new strain is "present throughout Wales".

Read more on this story here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/covid-coronavirus-news-vaccine-moderna-pfizer-christmas-lockdown/

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