WALES First Minister said that it would be ‘foolish’ to end the lockdown before it was safe and waste the efforts of the UK public in the past few weeks.

Mark Drakeford said in a press briefing that it was important all four nations of the United Kingdom to decide whether to extend the current lockdown.

Mr Drakeford began his address to the country by thanking the "thousands" of people that adhered to guidelines of staying indoors this weekend, despite the appealing warm weather.

He said information from Welsh police chief constables across the forces is that there have been some issues - including in North Wales - about people visiting second homes and holiday homes.

The Minister stressed that this type of travel is ‘not essential’ and that people should not be doing this.

The minister said that there are signs that the lockdown measures are beginning to have a positive impact but says the Government knows 'things are likely to be worse before they get better'.

Mr Drakeford added that it would be 'foolish' for the lockdown not to continue and waste the efforts of the UK public in the past few weeks.

He said: “I think the lockdown will need to continue beyond Easter Tuesday. Everything so far suggests it would be foolish to throw away the effort everyone has made.

“I think the lockdown will need to continue beyond Easter Tuesday.”, the minister added.

He told the public that the Welsh Government will review the progress of the virus spreading but believes that a further period of lockdown will be necessary.

Public Health Wales revealed today, Monday, that 27 more people have died in the country after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 193.

The number of people who tested positive for the disease across the country rose by 302 to 3,499.

The minister reflected on the fact that behind each recorded case and death, each number is a person who is loved or has a family that are now grieving.

Questions were also raised about the UK Prime Minister’s health after spending the night in a London hospital and Mr Drakeford said he hoped Mr Johnson’s stay would be “as short as necessary” as he undergoes tests for coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Drakeford said: “I wrote to the Prime Minister on Thursday of the week before last as soon as he fell ill, wishing him a speedy recovery, and want to repeat that today.”

The Welsh Government broadcasts live to the country daily at 12.30pm on television and through their social media channels.