First Minister Mark Drakeford says the UK Government's coronavirus bill includes powers for the Welsh Government to forcibly hold people in detention. He says they will only be used if absolutely necessary to protect public safety. He is currently giving the Welsh Government's daily update on the coronavirus situation.

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething has tested negative for coronavirus and will return to work today.

He was one of several assembly members who have been self-isolating since the start of the week.

Image source, Getty

With some tube services being reduced in London, some of Wales' public transport providers are also reviewing their provision.

The cancellation of GCSE and A-level exams is "devastating" for pupils, a union has said.

Laura Doel from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said: "We all know what the anxiety was like, the build up, this isn’t something that comes around and you think about it the week before - months and months and years of preparation goes into getting ready for GCSEs, getting ready for A Levels – to not be able to do that must be devastating for them, I can’t imagine what they’re going through."

Regarding the closure of schools, she added: "I was getting constant calls from our members saying ‘what is the position of Welsh Government? What are we doing? Are we doing the right thing? Are we keeping open or are we not keeping open?’… the situation was unsustainable and the Welsh Government needed to come in and make a decision and they have done so.”

Image source, PA

Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, Jason Killens has tweeted:

It is possible schools may not reopen until September, Education Minister Kirsty Williams has said

She told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "We’re an in unprecedented times.

“I want schools back to normal as quickly as possible…. however, I’m not in a position to tell parents when that will be…

"We're at the mercy of the progression of this epidemic… as soon as we’re advised by scientists and clinicians it is safe to do so we will open schools…

"I wish very much, more than anything to be able to tell people when that will be but I cannot do so."

She added: “We’re looking at what we can do to support workers who are needed on the front line... we’re looking at how we can support our most vulnerable learners.

"After the Easter break I know many schools will be continuing to do what they can on a variety of platforms to carry on some form of learning… it won’t be business as usual."

Sarah Dickins
BBC Wales Economics Correspondent

One in eight people in Wales are self-employed – as much as one in four in Powys. Wales’s economy minister Ken Skates has said there will be a special pot of money for the self-employed – those who are effectively “hibernating”. He’s also said support will go beyond the retail and hospitality sector. Some feel the UK chancellor will have to come back to the country with even more financial support. That would mean more long-term borrowing to get the economy through this difficult time.

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales Andrew Evans has set out five steps everyone can take to get the right support from their community pharmacy during the coronavirus outbreak:

• Follow Welsh Government advice and do not visit a pharmacy if you or anyone in your household has a temperature or a new and continuous cough, even if it’s mild.

• Try to order your next prescription seven days before it is due. This will help the pharmacist deal with urgent requests and queries.

• Put your contact details on your prescription so pharmacies can let you know when your medicines are ready to collect.

• If you are self-isolating please ask family, friends or neighbours to arrange to pick up your medication for you, and if you don’t have anyone who can collect your medicine, speak to your community pharmacy for advice about how they can help.

• If you are well and able to visit the pharmacy yourself, think about how you can help family, friends and neighbours who are self-isolating by collecting their medicines on their behalf.

People who are self isolating in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus are being encouraged to sing.

Catrin Angharad Jones started Cor-ona, a social media group where people can post videos of themselves singing.

Cor is the Welsh word for choir.

Videos are flying in.

Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, has welcomed news that Welsh ministers will invest just under £1.4bn to help businesses in Wales deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

She said: "Matching the announcement made by the chancellor earlier this week and removing the burden of business rates from retailers for the next 12 months represents a vital shot in the arm for a sector facing enormous uncertainty.

"Ministers have clearly listened and this big, bold move will provide a cashflow and confidence boost for the industry at a time when coronavirus is casting a shadow over the economy. We look forward to seeing the details..."

The decision to close schools is “absolutely” right, teachers' union NASUWT has said.

Its National Official for Wales Neil Butler said:“Clearly the impact is going to be devastating but obviously we’re in an extraordinary situation here and it is time for extraordinary measures...

“Not only have schools got to be re-purposed, the teaching workforce needs to be re-purposed.”

He told Claire Summers on Radio Wales Breakfast there was “no doubt” some teachers would have to continue to work to create resources for children off school and also care for the children of key workers.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says it has taken "the difficult decision" to begin to postpone non-urgent operations, procedures, and outpatient appointments, to focus on caring for an expected increase in Covid-19 patients who need hospital care.

Postponements will begin from today. The health board said it will contact every patient affected and asked that patients do not contact hospitals or departments to find out if their procedure has been postponed.

They will be prioritising the patients in need of the most urgent care, for example people in need of cancer treatment.

Get the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Wales with Claire Summers on BBC Radio Wales

Schools across Wales are preparing to shut by the end of the week, and there's a warning that vulnerable people could put more pressure on the NHS if the charities they rely on for support are not given help during the coronavirus outbreak. We'll have the latest for you throughout the day.