Wales to remain in Alert Level Zero but lateral flow tests and face masks encouraged

First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged people to take lateral flow tests before going out in a bid to stop the spread of the new Omicron Covid variant.

The First Minister has also advised people to wear face masks in all indoor public places, including pubs and restaurants when not eating or drinking.

It comes after the Welsh Government’s latest three-week coronavirus review, where it was decided Wales would remain under Alert Level Zero restrictions over the coming weeks.

Mr Drakeford also urged people to take up their booster vaccine offer and said: “The emergence of the Omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic. We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people.

“We are speeding up the roll-out of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.

“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.

“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year.”

Mr Drakeford added: “None of us wanted to hear about the news of this new variant. After almost two years of the pandemic, we had all hoped that we could put coronavirus behind us this Christmas.”

But he insisted “we are not back at square one” and said: “We have faced challenges many times during this pandemic and we have learned from each one.”

Welsh Conservative Senedd Member Russell George, who is the Shadow Health Minister, said he was “pleased” to see no major restrictions introduced, but said he understands that “there is more to learn about Omicron”.

He added: “We know vaccinations are the key to a society living with coronavirus, so it’s vital Labour ministers now use this period to ramp up the booster programme to protect lives and ensure we keep our hard-earned success.”

Darren Hughes, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, welcomed the Welsh Government’s “reinforced message” and said: “No one wants another lockdown or for patient care to be disrupted again given how hard frontline teams are working, including recent enormous ramping up the booster programme.

“That’s why we must all take action on the things that are within our control – we can all help. This includes taking up the offer of a booster vaccination as our best line of defence.”