Coronavirus: Welsh government to unveil new lockdown plans today

First minister Mark Drakeford expected to outline adjustments after Welsh cabinet met on Thursday to review current restrictions

The Welsh government will today unveil its plans for adjusting the country’s coronavirus lockdown measures.

First minister Mark Drakeford is expected to outline what changes will be made, and when, after the Welsh cabinet met on Thursday to review the current restrictions, which have been in force since 23 March.

The announcement, to be made at 12.30pm, comes two days ahead of Boris Johnson’s expected update on England’s coronavirus guidelines.

As devolved governments – with the power to shape their own public health policy – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can legally end lockdown on their terms.

However, Plaid Cymru has called for a UK-wide approach as the four countries consider their exit strategies for the weeks ahead.

“I emphasised to Boris Johnson that if his commitment to the four nations of the UK is to mean anything, the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments must agree to any changes to the current approach,” said MP Liz Saville Roberts, the Westminster leader of Plaid Cymru.

“The current lack of clarity is leading to huge anxiety and potential issues of people believing changes are being made ahead of this bank holiday weekend when they are not.”

She warned Mr Johnson to “resist the urge to move too quickly and put the health of the public first”.

The PM spoke to the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Thursday afternoon to discuss the UK lockdown.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the call reflected the British government’s commitment to working “in consultation” with the devolved administrations.

“During the call, the prime minister emphasised that this is a critical moment in the fight against coronavirus and that the government will not throw away the efforts and sacrifices of the British people,” she said.

“He was clear that we will not risk a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS, and we will act with maximum caution in order to save lives.”

However, it was acknowledged that different parts of the UK could “move at slightly different speeds”, with “decisions made based on the science for each nation”.

Both the Scottish and UK governments formally extended their lockdowns on Thursday, though

Nicola Sturgeon warned that it could be “catastrophic” were Westminster to drop its “stay-at-home” message next week – as has been suggested in the media.

Some UK newspapers have also claimed that exercise rules in England could be relaxed and ‘social bubbles’ expanded, which would allow people to meet with members of one other household, after Mr Johnson said that some measures may start to be lifted from Monday.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab dismissed the reports, saying they “were not a reliable guide” to the policy being formulated by the government.

The Welsh government also warned against “confusing” and “mixed” speculation.

“It is crucially important that the people of Wales are informed clearly and accurately about what, if any, changes are made to the current stay-at-home restrictions,” a spokesman said on Thursday.

“Some of the reporting in today’s newspapers is confusing and risks sending mixed messages to people across the UK.”

While the Welsh government could deviate in its exit strategy from England, it has made clear its desire to take decisions alongside all four UK nations.

Earlier this week, Mr Drakeford warned that the crisis in Wales was “certainly not over” despite encouraging signs.

He told the Senedd, the National Assembly for Wales, that the country’s transmission rate – the R number – remained “close to the level that could put us back in danger”.

Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, said there had been fewer than 200 new confirmed cases of coronavirus each day over the past 10 days.

There are 677 people in hospital in Wales with confirmed Covid-19 and a further 343 suspected cases.

Of those previously admitted to hospital, around 2,800 people have recovered and been discharged.

“But it is important that we remember all those who sadly lost their lives and our thoughts are with their families and friends,” Dr Goodall said.

“The human cost of this crisis is both profound and unmeasurable.”