NEW restrictions for pubs and restaurants have been announced by Mark Drakeford today, and will come into effect on Friday 4 December.

The new rules are that pubs, restaurants and cafés can open but are not allowed to serve alcohol and must shut at 6pm.

After 6pm, restaurants, pubs and cafés can continue providing takeaway services.

The Welsh Government clarified that some pubs will be able to sell alcohol as part of a takeaway if that premises has a license for off-sales.

The ban on alcohol sales will not extend to supermarkets or off-licences, which must already stop selling alcoholic drinks after 10pm.

Indoor entertainment venues including cinemas, bowling alleys, bingo halls, soft play centres, casinos, skating rinks and amusement arcades will close from Friday, as will indoor attractions such as museums, galleries and heritage sites.

Outdoor attractions can remain open and the rest of the national measures will remain the same.

There are no changes to extended household rules, outdoor meeting restrictions or restrictions for other businesses.

Currently in Wales four people can meet indoors or outdoors.

The First Minister said that the rules will come into effect later this week in response to hospitality businesses saying they need time to react and prepare for the new rules.

"I recognise how hard hospitality venues have worked," said Mark Drakeford.

"I am very grateful for everything the sector has done and I know these new restrictions will be difficult."

These restrictions will be reviewed on 17 December and every three weeks afterwards.

When the English lockdown ends on 2 December, the Welsh Government will review the current travel restrictions.

The Welsh Government has reportedly been examining the tier three of the Scottish system, where the same closing time and alcohol rules are in place.

At a press conference last Friday, Mark Drakeford said he had agreed the five-day period between 23-27 December where up to three households can meet for Christmas with English, Scottish and Irish ministers.

The First Minister also spoke of creating "headroom" before Christmas, as Coronavirus cases are increasing following the firebreak.

"Unfortunately, over the last seven days we're beginning to see Coronavirus rates rise again," said Mr Drakeford.

"The ground that we gained during the firebreak lockdown is being eroded as Coronavirus thrives on normal human behaviour.

"The result of the recent days is that hospital systems in Wales remain under increased pressure.

"More than 1,700 people are in hospital with Coronavirus in Wales. In September there were 400. This shows how quickly the situation can change.

"We too now need to use the coming weeks to reduce the spread of the virus and create more headroom for the Christmas period. The cabinet has agreed to take further and specific action.

"We will focus on places where we meet where the virus thrived," he said.

Over the weekend the Welsh Government finalised plans for restaurants and pubs, to support them through what Mr Drakeford described as a "worrying time" for hospitality workers "designed to meet the unique circumstances we need".

The First Minister promised "the most generous package of financial support in the UK" which consists of £180 million available to Welsh hopsitality businesses, on top of the financial support already offered.

This will allow eligible small and medium-sized businesses to receive up to £100,000, and up to £150,000 for larger Welsh-based businesses.

Another £160 million is being offered in the Restrictions Business Fund to enable an estimated 60,000 hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses to access grants of up to £5,000.

This fund is in addition to various support schemes available from UK government.

Alistair Derby, CEO of Brains Brewery which four pubs in Barry, told Nub News:

"[The announcement is]... hugely disappointing and a tragedy for our 1,500 people who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our pubs are fully Covid secure."