Wales' Health Minister has said he can't see any obvious need for a local lockdown in parts of Wales following an outbreak of coronavirus at three locations.

Vaughan Gething said: "If we're going to have a localised lockdown beyond the Test, Trace and Protect service and household isolation, then we need to know what we're trying to achieve."

He said: "We have a range of different steps to take. The first is that we've identified that there's an incident and then an outbreak. The second has been about the way our Test, Trace and Protect system works around those cases."

Mr Gething said if people followed advice and self-isolated, "...you've effectively got a smart and targeted lockdown of the workforce and all of their contacts... We then need to make sure people are following that advice".

He said Public Health Wales officials do have the power to enforce this self-isolation but he said that was "a different step".

The Welsh Government is “genuinely desperately concerned” about the future of the economy in Wales, according to Vaughan Gething.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said “health and the economy are linked undeniably.”

He also acknowledged that some businesses were “anxious and want to start economic activity”.

But he warned that restarting the economy only to have to reintroduce lockdown restrictions could lead to “economic scarring".

“We know that if we have good economic conditions when people have good jobs and are relatively well paid, then actually there are fewer public health challenges. We know that poor health leads to poor economic outcomes too," he added.

“We also know that for the economic losses people are suffering – actually, if we take a cavalier approach, which we have not done in Wales, then we can see more economic activity starting in a way that wasn't safe.

"That wouldn’t just lead to a public health problem – not just a loss of life – but it also lead to a sort of economic scarring that many economists are rightly concerned about if we had to go into an earlier and harder lockdown.”

Changes to the 2m rule announced by UK government today only apply in England, First Minister Mark Drakeford has tweeted.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should remain 2m apart where possible but a "one metre plus" rule will be introduced.

Boris Johnson also said pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers can open from 4 July in England, when social distancing rules will be eased.

The outbreak of coronavirus at three sites across Wales reinforces why everyone should follow rules around social distancing, according to Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

His comments came as it emerged a cluster of cases had been identified at a meat processing plant in Merthyr Tydfil.

There have been further outbreaks at similar sites in Anglesey and Wrexham.

Speaking at today's Welsh Government’s daily press conference, Mr Gething said: "I’m concerned about workers at all of the plants where we have incidents or outbreaks in Wales.

“We have 26 sites I believe in Wales, so we're looking at that whole sector within a very quick period of time to understand if we need to do more than the guidance we're going to issue.

“We know that coronavirus thrives in cold, damp enclosed spaces and we know that every food processing facility has settings that are deliberately cold with smooth surfaces around them, so there's an obvious risk.

“But I really do think this is reinforcing it for everyone to follow the rules: the rules in our law about physical distancing in the workplace, about taking all reasonable measures to ensure that, but for all of us then as members of the public to continue to follow the rules around social distancing, and of course if you have symptoms self isolate and get a test.”

Vaughan Gething says the Welsh Government “haven’t seen the evidence that underpins any potential changes” to the 2m social distancing rule.

He was reacting to the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the 2m rule will be reduced to 1m in England from 4 July.

Mr Gething said: “If there is evidence that underpins any change then we will, of course, consider that and consider what that means for Wales.”

However he indicated that the Welsh Government would not divert from their cautious approach.

He said: “We will continue to take the approach that we have done. Our objective is to keep Wales safe and we will only change if the evidence is there. That means if we can make changes that don’t place people at unnecessary risk.”

“That remains the driver of this government here in Wales and it remains the basis on which I make decisions together with ministerial colleagues.”

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething told today's daily coronavirus briefing that food producers had been "generally good" at complying with coronavirus-related workplace regulations.

Mr Gething said there were some very good examples around Wales, but he added the industry faced some challenges.

"We also know in the meat processing sector, operating margins can be very tight, many people are employed on fairly low pay and levels of statutory sick pay mean many people feel they have no choice but to carry on working when they are ill," he said.

Coronavirus "thrives" in cold, damp and noisy environments where people are in close contact with each other, he said.

"It survives for longer indoors and particularly on smooth surfaces for up to three days.

"But there is no evidence that coronavirus survives on food."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says from 4 July the two metre rule is to be relaxed to "one metre plus" where 2m is not possible - but people will be encouraged to have mitigation in place to reduce transmission.

He says: "We can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England

"At every stage, caution will remain our watch word. Each step will be conditional and reversible."

Mr Gething said there had been "a small cluster" of coronavirus cases at a meat processing plant in Merthyr Tydfil.

He said 34 cases had been confirmed at Kepak since 25 April.

There have been eight new cases since the start of June and six people are currently off sick with coronavirus.

"This incident is under active investigation," the health minister said. "Outbreaks in meat and food processing plants have been a feature of the coronavirus pandemic around the world. We have seen large-scale outbreaks affecting thousands of people in the US, Canada and Germany."

Mr Gething added that there were currently five outbreaks in meat processing plants in England.

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething says there's "no evidence" of wider community transmission of coronavirus, following outbreaks at two meat and food processing plants in north Wales.

Speaking at the Welsh Government's daily coronavirus press briefing, Mr Gething said there were two confirmed coronavirus outbreaks, centred on meat and food processing plants in the north – one on Anglesey and one in Wrexham.

He added that there was "a small cluster" of cases at a meat processing plant in Merthyr Tydfil.

On the two north Wales outbreaks, Mr Gething said: "I want to restate that, at the moment, there is no evidence of wider community transmission beyond these plants.

"All cases are directly linked to people working in these factories. The cases have been identified through our Test, Trace, Protect system, which shows it is working properly.

"I also want to assure the public that cases of coronavirus are generally falling across Wales – we have seen fewer than 100 cases each day in the first few weeks of June. There has been an increase over the weekend, which is probably related to these outbreaks."

Image source, Getty Images

The Covid-19 Infection Survey is being extended to include Wales for the first time following a successful launch of the study in England.

So far more than 100,000 swab tests have been carried out over the duration of the study in England, with more than 3,000 antibody tests and weekly publication of the latest analysis of results.

To start, 500 households in Wales are being contacted to take part in this new phase with a further 500 households added each week as the survey continues to develop.

These have been chosen from participants in previous Office of National Statistics (ONS) surveys to create a representational sample for the whole of Wales.

The results will build a detailed and reliable picture of infection rates within Wales that will inform scientists and the Welsh Government in their ongoing response to the coronavirus outbreak. Initial findings are expected to be available towards the end of July.

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Research happening in Wales such as this Covid-19 Infection Survey, is integral for us to progress forward through this pandemic. We have always said that as a government we will be led by the science, backing each step we take as we work towards the ‘new normal’.

“Support from people from every corner of Wales is essential for us to gain the best understanding we possibly can about this virus, and how it continues to move and affect our different communities. I’d like to thank everyone involved for being a part of this for Wales’ future.”

Image source, Getty Images

"People are helping others and themselves stay safe" while visiting Swansea, the council says.

Yesterday, after months of being closed, non-essential stores opened for the first time since coronavirus restrictions were brought in.

Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething will host today's daily coronavirus press briefing from the Welsh Government.

The briefing will start on BBC One Wales at 12:30 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Researchers have launched an initiative to track wildlife before, during and after the coronavirus lockdown.

The UK-led team's aim is to study what they have called the "anthropause" - the global-scale, temporary slowdown in human activity, which is likely to have a profound impact on other species.

Measuring that impact, they say, will reveal ways in which we can "share our increasingly crowded planet".

You can read the full story here.

Image source, MPIAB/MAXCINE/JACOB STIERLE

A dispersal order is being imposed in Port Talbot to tackle anti-social behaviour.

It gives police the power to ban troublemakers from an area for 48 hours by issuing a written notice.

Police will also be using their powers to confiscate alcohol.

The move follows reports of anti-social behaviour and groups congregating at Mariners Quay, Mariners Point and the beach front area in Port Talbot.

South Wales Police's Sgt Gary Humphreys said: “We have had numerous complaints from residents about people congregating, drinking and being anti-social.

“With the weather improving we want to ensure that families and residents can enjoy this lovely part of Port Talbot.

"Our message is clear - anyone enjoying the area and not causing issues and adhering to the current Covid-19 legislation can continue to do so.

"The Section 35 order is for those not only causing concerns for residents but also putting themselves at risk.”

Image source, Anthony McHugh

Tens of thousands of people will need to be checked to see if they have permanent damage, doctors say.

Experts are concerned a significant proportion could be left with lung scarring, known as pulmonary fibrosis.

The condition is irreversible and symptoms can include severe shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue.

Some pupils could face problems returning to school because of transport provision inconsistencies across Wales, a teachers' union has warned.

Schools reopen on 29 June but the Ucac union said some children may not be able to go unless there is transport.

Some councils will only run for specific pupil groups, and many have encouraged children to travel with parents or make their own way in.

The Welsh Government said it published comprehensive guidance on transport.

Image source, Getty Images

Coronavirus deaths in Wales have dropped to 57 in the most recent week, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That is the week up to 12 June.

This compares to 100 the week before.

Eight council areas, including Newport recorded no deaths at all.

That was a hotspot for the disease earlier in the pandemic.

So-called "excess deaths," which compares all registered deaths to previous years also shows they are now below the five-year average.

This is the first time this has been recorded since the pandemic began.

In Wales overall, the deaths dropped by 700 in the week ending 12 June to 574.

That is 14 deaths, or 2.4%, lower than the five-year average for this particular week.

Of these, 9.9%, or 57 deaths, involved Covid-19.

The UK's best-known shopping centre chain has warned financial troubles could see entire sites shut.

Intu has 17 UK outlets and runs St David's in Cardiff as a joint venture.

The company has appointed administrators KPMG as a "contingency" in case financial restructuring talks with lenders fail.

Intu warned if that happens it will have to give KPMG funds for certain services, or see the centres shut.

You can read more here.

Image source, INTU

Oxygen levels in suspected coronavirus cases should be monitored in the community to help hospitals deal with a second wave of cases, according to Wales' leading respiratory doctor.

Dr Simon Barry said early on in the pandemic it became clear reduced oxygen levels in the blood suggested a patient had Covid-19.

But flu and pneumonia will be more common in a future winter peak.

This means more community monitoring would be needed, he said.

Read more here.

Welcome to Tuesday's live updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Wales.

These are the main points so far:

• Measuring oxygen levels in blood will be key to tackling a second coronavirus wave
• Schools are set to reopen on June 29 but not all councils are making transport provisions
• Funding problems for shopping centres could prompt closures, according to Intu - the UK's best-known shopping centre chain
• A major food firm has warned of job cuts as weekly sales are down 65%