English: Mark Drakeford, First Minister, Press conference - 19.10.20

Summary of some of the main points:

Mark Drakeford, First Minister || Monday. We have held discussions over the weekend, as virus spreads rapidly across Wales. If we don't act, our NHS could be overwhelmed and more people would die. Decission is to introduce a 2 week firebreak period starting at 6pm Friday this week, and will include the half term and end on the 9th November. Between Friday 23 October and 9th Nov, everyone in Wales will be required to stay at home: working from home, unless you are critical workers. All tourism businesses, as will: non-essential retail, places of whorship, recycling centres, libraries etc. Childcare, primary Schools and Year 7 and 8 secondary schools will remain open; other students to work from home. Students to stay in their uni accommodation. No gatherings with people you don't live with, other than single parents and people who live alone.

There will be a financial package to support businesses; we've created an extra fund of almost £300million. The £80million announed last week to increase to £100 million. I wrote to the Chancellor on Friday to ask him to give businesses access to early access to the newly expanded job support scheme from Friday of this week.

Critical workers will be allowed to cross the border with England. Visitors = evidence does show that people traveling bring in Coronavirus. We therefore ask people not to travel into Wales.