Wales to go into national two-week 'firebreak' Covid lockdown

First minister announces lockdown from 23 October to give NHS breathing space before winter

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The Welsh government has mounted a staunch defence of the need for a nationwide lockdown as it announced sharp and deep" measures despite having the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases of the four UK nations.

The first minister, Mark Drakeford, insisted the two-week firebreak" - under which schools, shops, pubs and hotels will close and citizens will be told to stay at home - was needed to prevent thousands more deaths and the NHS becoming overwhelmed.