Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he wished he could have given “more notice” before bringing forward the country’s lockdown and further cutting back plans to allow families to mix over Christmas.
Mr Drakeford said the decision to impose Wales’s highest level of restrictions, announced just seven hours before they came into force, was “unavoidable” due to how widespread the new strain of coronavirus was across the country.
His announcement on Saturday evening triggered a rush for last-minute shopping before non-essential retailers were forced to close their doors at midnight, leading to long queues outside supermarkets and other retailers.
Live: Boris Johnson addresses nation on Christmas and Covid crisis - updates
Coronavirus cases have been soaring in some parts of England as European countries restrict UK travel (Image: Getty Images)
Boris Johnson is set to address the nation this afternoon (Monday) in an urgent update on the coronavirus crisis.
The Prime Minister will lead the press conference following emergency talks with ministers around France banning lorries carrying freight from the UK.
Other key transport links have also been cut as nations across Europe - and the world - refuse to allow entry to anyone from the UK.
The decision came after England alerted the world to the emergence of a new, more virulent strain of Covid.
New Covid figures show three areas of Wales among UK highest
It was also revealed on Monday that the new coronavirus strain is responsible for 60% of new Welsh cases
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Three local authority areas in Wales now have coronavirus levels among the highest in the UK.
During a coronavirus briefing on Monday, December 21, Boris Johnson revealed new concerning figures have shown that eight local authorities in the UK currently have Covid rates above 1,000 per 100,000.
Three of the areas are in Wales: Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent.
In Merthyr Tydfil the rate has risen week-on-week from 926.6 to 1,299.6. It is the highest rate than anywhere in the UK.