New restrictions in Wales are likely ‘in the next few weeks’

Appearing on the BBC Politics Wales programme, Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan has said Welsh government wanted “to act proportionately”, but a spike in cases of the variant was expected “quickly”. As a result, new restrictions may be put in place “in the next few weeks”.

There “will come a point” where ministers could advise people against attending Christmas parties, Ms Morgan added. 

Ms Morgan said with 15 Omicron cases currently identified in Wales, she expected the number to “change very quickly in a very short space of time”. “We are still learning about this new variant”.

Wales’ Covid rules are now being reviewed weekly, and hence could change before Christmas. Speaking this week, First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said the UK faced a “deeply concerning situation”, with Omicron doubling every two to three days in England. Mr Drakeford also told a press conference Wales “may be about a week behind what is happening in other parts of England and Scotland”.