Welsh people are being urged to get their booster jabs and follow social distancing measures amid a “rapid rise” in coronavirus cases.

       It comes after First Minister Mark Drakeford closed nightclubs and announced a return to the rule of six inside pubs and restaurants from Boxing Day.

       Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that England would not be following the devolved nations in enforcing new coronavirus restrictions.

       Wales recorded 12,378 new cases on Tuesday. However, there is a lag in the number of cases being recorded due to the holiday period.

       Groups of no more than six people will be allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants in Wales (Ben Birchall/PA)

       (PA Wire)

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       In a statement, Wales’ deputy chief medical officer, Dr Chris Jones encouraged the public to take steps to protect themselves from the rise in new cases.

       He said: “We are seeing a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases caused by omicron all over Wales”, he said. The majority of these are in younger people and we believe they would have been contracted before Christmas.

       “This new variant is very transmissible – it spreads very quickly wherever people come together.

       “Please take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

       He added that the public can protect themselves by getting the booster jab, reducing the number of people they see, and isolating if they have symptoms.