FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford has announced a revised four level alert system for Wales as part of the "effort to bring Coronavirus under control" for next week.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Drakeford also announced that primary schools will close from next week, and 'hub' provision will be provided for vulnerable children and children of essential workers.

The First Minister also announced the closure of outdoor attractions, such as winter wonderland attractions across the country. Christmas markets will remain open.

The traffic light system was devised in May, before Test Trace and Protect and vaccine plans were introduced.

"We have revised the plan using what we have learned over the course of the pandemic," said Mr Drakeford.

"The revised plan sets out four alert levels. Today in Wales we are at alert level three. The traffic light is red.

"I must be clear with you – if the strengthened measures of last week and the extra actions of this week, together with the efforts of each and every one of us do not succeed in turning the tide of the virus – then it is inevitable that we will have to move to alert level four immediately after Christmas.

"In the last seven days there have been 12,000 new cases of Coronavirus. The virus is here, it is widespread throughout the UK and Wales.

"The best present anyone of us can give our families this year is to have a Coronavirus-free Christmas. For that to happen we all need to reduce the number of people we see and mix with," he said.

When asked about what level four restrictions, the First Minister described them as "a step above what we have now".

"I think it will be self evident to people that at level four there will be even more restrictions on the freedoms we are able to offer people," he said.

Mr Drakeford said the government examine indicators including infection rates per 100,000 people, virus rates for under 25s and over 60s, positivity rates, hospital admission rates and the number of people who require intensive care in the country.

The revised plan will also allow different parts of the country to be at multiple alert levels at one time "if the circumstances allow".

"But for that to happen, any part of Wales which might enter a different level must be in that position for a reliable period of time," said Mr Drakeford.

"If we were going today into level four, then I would confidently expect that to be a Wales-wide set of arrangements.