Covid: Tighter restrictions introduced in Wales for after Christmas

Wales has announced new measures to help control the spread of the Omicron variant.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford announced the country would move to alert level two from 26 December.

This means a maximum of six people will be allowed to meet in restaurants and indoor places like cinemas.

And two metres social distancing will be brought back in public places.

Mr Drakeford said he wanted the measures to be in place for the shortest time possible and they will be kept under review.

Why have the changes been announced?

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford announced more Covid restrictions

Mr Drakeford has brought in these new rules because of the rise in Omicron cases.

The First Minister of Wales said: "Omicron is here in Wales and is now spreading quickly."

People are advised to limit household mixing and use lateral flow tests beforehand.

A maximum of three households meeting at the same time would be a "rule of thumb" for people to follow, Mr Drakeford added.

The Welsh government had already announced some restrictions it plans to impose after Christmas, with sports events going behind closed doors.

What's happening across the UK?

In Northern Ireland, from the 27 December, hospitality venues will return to table-service only, with limits of no more than six people allowed to sit together at a table.

People will also be urged to limit meetings inside private homes to no more than three households.

Ministers have said they will keep the measures under review.

In Scotland, people have been asked to meet with no more than three households at a time, in the run-up to Christmas.

From 26 December, outdoor events will be limited to 500 people, with one metre social distancing in place, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

This will mean most festive sport in Scotland will be "effectively spectator-free".

Indoor events such as concerts will be limited to 200 people if they are seated, or 100 for standing.

The restrictions, affecting all levels of sport, will be in place for three weeks.

In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said no new measures will be brought in before Christmas, but the data is reviewed "hour by hour" and he "can't rule out" measures after that date.