Wales residents are waking up to the news that Covid restrictions are being tightened by First Minister Mark Drakeford as case numbers continue to rise.
Mr Drakeford will announce changes today and a stark warning that further restrictions will be imposed unless figures improve within the next three weeks.
News was filtering down after the Welsh Cabinet met yesterday (Thursday) that Covid restrictions could be reintroduced in Wales in three weeks if cases do not drop.
Cabinet changes coming into force now include:
· Changes to the rules around self-isolation.
· You'll need a Covid Pass in theatres and cinemas.
· Headteachers will be helped to introduce measures if case rates are high locally.
· Shops have been encouraged to get people to stick to the rules to wear masks.
· Businesses will be encouraged to resume working from home.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Over the past three weeks, coronavirus cases have risen sharply to the highest rates we have seen since the pandemic began and more people are falling so seriously ill that they need hospital treatment.
"All this means that the pandemic is far from over. We need to take more action now to strengthen the measures we have in place at alert level zero to prevent coronavirus spreading even further and more people falling seriously ill.
"We hope this action will help to turn the tide of this delta. None of us wants to see a return to restrictions but if rates continue to rise, the cabinet will have no choice but to consider raising the alert level at the next review.
"Let’s all work together as a team to reduce the spread of coronavirus and keep Wales open and keep Wales safe."
Currently, if you are in a household with someone who tests positive but you are double vaccinated, you do not need to self-isolate unless you have symptoms or a positive test yourself.
New Welsh Government guidance is that adults who are fully vaccinated and children and young people aged five to 17 should self-isolate until they have received a negative PCR test if someone in their household has symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19.
People who are not vaccinated will still have to self-isolate for 10 days following contact with someone who has tested positive, including close contacts outside of their household.
If someone in your household tests positive, you too will need to self-isolate until you have taken a PCR test. If that test is negative you no longer have to isolate.
If it is positive, you too will have to isolate.
You will also need to isolate while you await your test appointment and result.