Wales' 17-day firebreak lockdown 'did succeed' in reducing Covid rates, First Minister says

20 November 2020, 10:49

Mark Drakeford said that the evidence was "now good enough to say that the firebreak period did succeed"
Mark Drakeford said that the evidence was "now good enough to say that the firebreak period did succeed". Picture: PA

By Megan White

Wales' 17-day firebreak lockdown "did succeed" in bringing coronavirus rates down across the nation, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

The Welsh Labour leader said that the evidence was "now good enough" to say the lockdown, from October 23 to November 9, had worked.

The decision to impose the circuit break was criticised by UK Government ministers before Boris Johnson announced England's own month-long lockdown, which is due to end on December 2.

Read more: Met Commissioner: 'I have no interest in interrupting family Christmas dinners'

Read more: Coronavirus rates 'levelling out and may be starting to drop', leading scientist suggests

It comes as Northern Ireland announced its own firebreak-style lockdown, due to start next week.

On Friday, Mr Drakeford said: "We've had 10 consecutive days of numbers coming down in Wales, positivity rates coming down in Wales, we're beginning to see that feed into a slowdown in the number of people being admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

Hancock: Too early to say whether tiered lockdowns will be changed

"So we think that firebreak period has succeeded. The question is whether it has succeeded enough, and whether people in Wales are now behaving in ways that allow us to capitalise on the ground we've gained, rather than seeing it frittered away."

Asked about the reproduction number, or R value, for Covid-19 in Wales, Mr Drakeford said: "Sage estimate that a week ago, the rate was somewhere between 0.9 and 1.2, so possibly already below 1 and since then we've had seven further consecutive days of numbers falling here in Wales.

"Our aim was to get it down to about 0.8, we'll know in another week whether we succeeded in that but on the whole it's looking promising."

He also said that the number of new cases in Merthyr Tydfil, one of the worst affected areas before the firebreak, had fallen from 760 per 100,000 to below 260.

Wales' first mass testing pilot for the virus will launch in the South Wales town on Saturday with more sites due to open through Merthyr Tydfil County Borough throughout November.

Mr Drakeford said discussions with UK Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and the other first ministers of the devolved administrations was planned for next week on a UK-wide approach to Christmas restrictions.

WHO warns it will be a 'different Christmas' this year

He said: "We agreed some broad parameters on Wednesday and remitted officials of all four administrations to work now on the detail, so I remain hopeful that it will be possible to reach a four-nation approach to Christmas.

"I certainly think that is the right thing to do - if it is achievable - and certainly Wales will be at the table next week looking to find an agreement."

Mr Drakeford said an agreement on permitting travel across the UK during the Christmas season was "top of the list of things to agree", even if a wider agreement was not possible.

"I really do hope we can have a common approach to travel," he added.

"It is very important for people in Wales, so many families here will have families in England and elsewhere and will be hoping to have visits from family members who live outside Wales. On travel, I am more hopeful than I was even on other aspects of our discussion."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Russell Brand outside the Trew Era community cafe in Hoxton  funded using money from the sales of his book 'Revolution'

Police probing Russell Brand over historic sex offence allegations 'hand CPS file' to consider charges

Scale of King Charles' earnings exposed as royals rake in 'millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS and military

Royal earnings exposed as King 'earns millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS, military and state schools

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks speaks for the first time

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks breaks silence 20 years on

Police Line Do Not Cross ribbon on a London street following a suspected bomb reported in the area.

Schoolgirl, 10, dies after being bitten by family dog in North Yorkshire as police launch launch investigation

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200