I encourage everyone to take up the offer of the vaccine. Please make this your priority. It is one of the most important things that you can do to protect yourself.

Dirprwy Lywydd, this is an incredibly fast-moving and worrying situation. However, at the moment, the number of confirmed cases of omicron in Wales remains low and we continue to respond to the delta wave. But we must be prepared to act swiftly to protect people’s health. At the most recent three-week review of the coronavirus regulations, the Cabinet considered what protections are needed now to respond to the current delta wave and steps we need put in place to prepare and protect against an increase in cases caused by the omicron variant. We have decided to move to a weekly review cycle so that we can closely monitor the public health situation. For the time being we will remain at alert level 0, but we have built on the measures that we have introduced in the last two weeks relating to self-isolation and international travel.

We are now strongly advising people to take a lateral flow test before they go out to any busy places or to any events, and also before travelling or before visiting friends and family. We have issued guidance for students preparing to leave college and universities for Christmas regarding testing before they travel. If the test is positive, then stay at home. You need to isolate and arrange a PCR test. We have made some minor changes to the regulations to clarify that face coverings must be worn in cinemas and theatres and during professional driving lessons or practical driving tests. We also strongly advise people to wear a face covering in pubs and restaurants when they are not at the table or not eating or drinking. We have had to make some technical changes to the COVID pass. Lateral flow tests should be taken within 24 hours, rather than the previous advice of 48 hours. And also with regard to the COVID pass, we are removing proof of natural immunity from that COVID pass, in line with changes being made in England, as the UK Government introduces its plan B in response to omicron. We are considering how to support safer visiting in care homes and hospitals to ensure that we protect the most vulnerable.

Dirprwy Lywydd, this is a worrying and uncertain time for all of us. We have faced challenges together before. We all need to work together, to look out for each other and to keep each other and Wales safe. Thank you very much.