Covid: Wales firebreak to end - even if England locks down

A two-week firebreak in Wales will still end on 9 November, regardless of a potential lockdown in England, insists the Welsh Government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a press briefing later, as speculation mounts he will impose tougher restrictions across England.

UK scientific advisers warn Covid is spreading faster in England than predicted "worst case" scenarios.

The Welsh Government meets on Sunday to finalise it post-firebreak rules.

First Minister Mark Drakeford took to social media on Saturday to state the all-Wales restrictions will come to an end on Monday, 9 November.

He said any announcement by Downing Street "will relate to England".

The first minister's view on the firebreak was echoed by Health Minister Vaughan Gething, during a series of radio interviews on Saturday.

He told Times Radio: "We are committed to that ending on Monday."

But he said the Welsh Government "still want to know and understand how the rules in England will work".

"So again, we have as common a message as possible for people who live and work on both sides of the border," he added.

At a Downing Street press conference, set to be held at 17:00 GMT on Saturday, the prime minister will be joined by England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty and the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, following a cabinet meeting to discuss the government's coronavirus response.

Mr Johnson has so far resisted pressure to introduce nationwide restrictions, opting instead for a three-tiered system targeting local areas in England.

Elsewhere, Scotland's new tiered system of restrictions will come into force at 06:00 on Monday.

In Northern Ireland, pubs and restaurants were closed for four weeks on 16 October with the exception of takeaways and deliveries. Schools were closed for two weeks.