The reason why Mark Drakeford chose not to scrap Christmas gatherings in Wales altogether
Despite spiralling Covid infection rates, the First Minister was worried about the impact on mental health if everyone was told to stay at home over Christmas
05:00, 18 DEC 2020
First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford (Image: Rob Browne)
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| UPDATED: 09:09, Thu, Dec 17, 2020
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The decision came just hours after First Minister Mark Drakeford announced during a press conference that lowering the number of homes that can form a Christmas bubble from three to two was guidance rather than a requirement. On Wednesday morning, the UK s four nations agreed not to amend the rules for the relaxed period between December 23 and 27, before Cardiff Bay s U-turn later in the evening. Jane from Gloucestershire has hit out at the Welsh Government and claimed her Christmas is cancelled .
| UPDATED: 07:10, Thu, Dec 17, 2020
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Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Safest’ place is ‘your own household’ at Christmas Sign up to receive our rundown of the day s top stories direct to your inbox
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Nicola Sturgeon was quick to one up Boris Johnson introducing tough Level Four measures. The First Minister introduced the toughest level of restrictions for Scotland on Wednesday, which sees Scots barred from indoor socialising and non-essential businesses forced to close their doors. However, despite putting Scotland into Level Four restrictions, Ms Sturgeon has allowed schools to remain open.
| UPDATED: 14:46, Thu, Dec 17, 2020
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Mark Drakeford has described the situation with coronavirus in Wales as “extremely serious”. Wales and Scotland have introduced tougher measures for the Christmas period compared to England after Boris Johnson was urged to revise plans by two leading medical journals.