First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the closure of all non-essential shops for two weeks beginning on Friday at 6pm

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales will enter a circuit-breaker lockdown, starting this Friday at 6pm and ending on Monday 9 November, which includes the half term holiday.

The "fire-break" lockdown means that residents in Wales are required to stay at home, with only critical workers allowed to not work from home.

"This fire break is the shortest we can make it, which means it needs to be a short, sharp shock to turn back the clock, and slow down the virus," said Mr Drakeford.

What will change?

All non-essential shops, and leisure, hospitality and tourism venues will close, as will community centres, libraries and recycling centres. Places of worship will also be closed, except for funeral and wedding services.

Childcare facilities will stay open, and primary and special schools will reopen as normal after half term. Secondary schools will reopen after half term for children in years 7 and 8 only. Students taking exams can attend, but all other students must study at home.

Gatherings with people you do not live with either indoors or outdoors are not allowed under the new restrictions, except for people living alone, or single parents, who are allowed to join with one other household for support.

What will happen to local businesses?

To mitigate the impact of these closures, the government has created an extra economic resilience fund of almost £300 million, half of which will go to support those businesses directly affected by the fire break.

"Every business covered by the Small Business Rate Relief will get a £1000 payment. Small and medium sized retail and hospitality businesses forced to close will receive up to £5000, which will be paid automatically," said Mr Drakeford.

"There will also be an additional discretionary grant and support for smaller business that are struggling because of the restrictions we are enforcing."

The First Minister also said that the £80 million fund announced last week to help businesses develop in the long-term will be increased to £100 million, with £20 million ring-fenced within that for tourism and hospitality.

Why do we need another lockdown?

The Welsh Government met this morning to decide whether to implement tighter restrictions. Mr Drakeford said it was a difficult decision.

"There are no easy choices in front of us as the virus spreads rapidly," he said.

"We know that if we do not act now, it will continue to accelerate and there is a very real risk of our NHS being overwhelmed.

"Unless we act, the NHS will not be able to look after the increasing number of people who are falling seriously ill, even with the extra 5000 beds provided for this winter."

There were 134 reported cases of the virus in the Vale of Glamorgan in the last fortnight, including 17 recorded today.

What does the Vale say?

The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Neil Moore, has said the following in a statement:

"I am grateful that the Welsh Government has again sought the views of Council Leaders on introducing these restrictions.

"Whilst the local lockdown measures in the Vale of Glamorgan have been effective in slowing the rate of infection, I support the introduction of a short period of further restrictions.

"By doing so we can all help to protect the NHS and stop the spread of the virus in our communities.

"For now my message to you is simple, stay home and stay safe."