The Welsh government will introduce a "firebreak" lockdown in Wales for two weeks from 6pm on Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.
Mr Drakeford told a press conference in Cardiff that the measure was necessary to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.
The "sharp and deep" lockdown will begin at 6pm on 23 October and last until 9 November, with everyone in Wales "required to stay at home".
"The only exceptions will be critical workers and jobs where working from home is not possible," Mr Drakeford said
The Welsh announcement means roughly six million people in the UK are facing tougher Covid-19 restrictions in the coming days as Manchester, the country's third largest city, also mulls additional restrictions as the outbreak of the virus accelerates.
The UK recorded 16,982 new daily cases of Covid-19 in the space of 24 hours, according to government data issued on Sunday, up from 16,717 the previous day.
After a public row with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of attempting to sacrifice the north of England to save jobs in the south, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said a lockdown could be imposed within days.
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"We do need to conclude this," Mr Jenrick said of talks with local leaders, adding that the basis for an agreement was there.
Mr Johnson has threatened to put the area into "Tier 3" – the highest level of restrictions forcing pubs and bars to close and banning different households from mixing indoors - against the will of local leaders if agreement is not possible.
Mr Jenrick said he was hopeful a deal could be struck with Manchester leaders today with newspapers reporting that tens of millions of pounds were on offer to help businesses cope with the lockdown measures.
"Delay will only make the situation worse, will only put people's lives at risk, and will only make the economic fallout for the city worse in the long term," Mr Jenrick said.
He said a short, nationwide full lockdown was not a "sensible" way forward and was not being considered at present.
Additional reporting PA
