Mark Drakeford: 'Work from home' to avoid lockdown as one in 40 in Wales has Covid
First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged all employers to help more people work from home as he introduced a number of changes to coronavirus measures in Wales.
Speaking against a backdrop of rising case rates in Wales, he pointed to the latest Office for National Statistics infection survey that estimates that one in every 40 people in Wales could have coronavirus, an increase on data published last week.
Mr Drakeford said: "My message today is a serious one.
"Compared to three weeks ago, the public health situation has deteriorated further.
"Cases have been rising throughout the UK, but Wales has the highest rates of coronavirus.
"This is largely being driven by very high levels of infections in younger people and among family members and close contacts at home."
Rates of coronavirus in Wales are currently the highest in the UK, with 2,664 new positive cases recorded on Thursday, October 28.
A further 12 deaths were also recorded in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of people who have lost their lives due to coronavirus in Wales to 6,134.
While pointing to mistakes made at a private laboratory in England as a potential reason for a spike in cases, Mr Drakeford did confirm around 2,000 cases of a new and possibly more transmissible form of the delta variant have been identified in Wales.
He said the preliminary evidence suggests that the new variant is more transmissible and can cause more serious symptoms.
Mr Drakeford said it is not his wish to reintroduce harsher measures, but pointed to the current public health situation as a reason to strengthen six measures.
He said: "To keep Wales open and safe over the coming three weeks, we will strengthen six measures – from the requirement to wear face coverings to changing the guidance on self-isolation."
What is changing in Wales?
Extension of Covid passes
Extension of Covid passes
Passes have been extended to theatres, cinemas and concert halls from November 15.
The Welsh Government said the decision is because these settings are where large numbers of people gather close to each other indoors for long periods at a time.
A Covid pass proves a person is either double-vaccinated or has tested negative for Covid-19, within 48 hours of an event or attending a venue.
Guidance around self-isolation
Guidance around self-isolation
There is a change to guidance around close contact isolation.
Now, if somebody you live with tests positive for Covid, you will be asked to self-isolate until you have received a negative PCR test.
This applies to adults who are fully vaccinated and children and young people aged five to 17.
Schools
Schools
Headteachers will be given extra support to react quickly and put measures in place if case rates are high locally.
Staff and secondary school students will also be encouraged to take twice-weekly lateral flow tests.
Action for booster vaccines
Action for booster vaccines
The four UK chief medical officers have asked the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation for urgent advice about reducing the interval between the second dose of the vaccine and the booster.
Working from home and reminders about face coverings
Working from home and reminders about face coverings
Working from home is now being encouraged wherever possible.
People are also reminded of the legal requirement to wear a face-covering in indoor public spaces.
Retailers will also be urged to do everything they can to encourage customers to comply with the rules.
Asked why his government is announcing further restrictions while the UK Government is removing all countries from the red travel list, he said he regrets the UK Government's decision, suggesting it goes against current evidence from the Sage group.
When asked whether he has any intention of banning crowds at large sports events such as Wales vs New Zealand on Saturday, he confirmed his government has no intention of doing so.
Mr Drakeford confirmed he will be at the match, and said he feels confident thanks to the introduction of the Covid pass to such events.
While acknowledging that it is too early to say whether the introduction of Covid passes have led to a fall in Covid cases, he argued that it is "very easy" and "very straightforward" to show a Covid pass and gives people more confidence to attend events.
On the requirement for household's to isolate after a member tests positive, Mr Drakeford said it is not similar to when people were asked to isolate for a full ten days.
He said the aim is for PCR tests to be returned within 24 hours to ensure people are back in work as quickly as possible.
He said his government believes the introduction of the new measure will actually result in fewer people being out of school and work.
"We believe that this will keep more people in work for longer. If we are managing to keep people who are positive out of the workplace, fewer people in that workplace will fall ill."
What happens next?
Currently, Wales is in Alert Level 0 or 'Covid Stable'. However, if there was a move to "Covid Urgent" it would mean a return to the alert level system and restrictions in Wales.
The First Minister said he will only introduce such measures "proportionately" and as a "last resort".
"If cases of coronavirus continue to rise throughout the winter, we will have to consider expanding the use of the Covid Pass into the hospitality sector," he continued.
It is understood that businesses in the hospitality sector have been briefed to use the next three weeks to prepare for the introduction of Covid passes to their premises.
The Welsh Government's next Covid review will take place on Thursday, November 18, with a decision announced on Friday, November 19.