Welsh Christmas attractions could face new Covid restrictions

There are currently more patients with coronavirus in Welsh hospitals than ever recorded

Dr Atherton is worried that Christmas fairs are still running   (Getty Images)

Dr Frank Atherton has said that people in Wales could see further coronavirus restrictions introduced before Christmas to try and slow the spread of the virus.

The chief medical officer for Wales admitted that he is “really worried” about the rising trend in Covid cases that the country has seen in the past week.

Dr Atherton spoke at a press conference in Cardiff. He expressed his concerns about the need to “get into Christmas with as low a rate of transmission of coronavirus as possible.”

Wales’ chief medical officer added that people have a “personal responsibility” to reduce the spread of the virus.

He said: "we have to ask ourselves what more can be done in the short time we have available to us before Christmas."

The Welsh Government is meeting this week to discuss “other possibilities around schools” and considering what “other options” can be used to lower rates of transmission.

On Tuesday there were over 1,800 patients with coronavirus in Welsh hospitals, the highest number ever recorded in Wales.

Eight Welsh local authority areas reported Covid rates of more than 400 cases per 100,000 people. In contrast, the current England average stands at 150.1 per 100,000.

Current restrictions in Wales allow groups of four people from multiple households to meet outdoors and in cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Two families may form an extended household, but these are the only people who are allowed to mix in a home.

Dr Atherton expressed his concerns saying: "I am worried, I'll be honest, that we still have Christmas fairs and Christmas attractions running in some of our major cities - I think we should be questioning some of that,"

He underlined how reducing “human to human contact” was important to reduce case numbers.

Dr Atherton added that he wouldn't be going out to restaurants, pubs or Christmas fairs in the coming weeks, telling a Welsh Government briefing: "The best present we can give our families this year is a coronavirus-free Christmas."