THE Welsh Government will continue to take a “cautionary approach” to coronavirus measures until a sufficient number of people have been vaccinated, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Mr Drakeford told today's media briefing in Cardiff this was necessary to ensure the risks posed to the health service and people falling ill had been “effectively suppressed”.

“That is not going to happen quickly,” Mr Drakeford said.

“Even with the vaccines that are coming our way fastest, you have to have two doses three weeks apart.

“They’re not effective until after the second dose, so even those people who will be vaccinated in Wales in December will not see the benefit of that vaccine until into the New Year.”

Mr Drakeford said the situation would depend on factors including how quickly supplies reach the UK, when other vaccines receive approval and how fast the vaccine is delivered “on the ground”.

“We will, as ever, be guided by the advice of our chief medical officer and other advisers as to the point at which things are safe enough for us to lift restrictions to get back to something more approaching what was previously normality,” Mr Drakeford added.

This means travel restrictions are to remain in place until January.

"The regulations in Wales prevent people leaving Wales to go to high incidence areas in Britain," Mr Drakeford said.

"They won't prevent people leaving to lower tiers.

"The advice remains that people shouldn't travel unless they have an important reason to go.

"People who travel to tier 2 areas may visit airports in those areas for international travel. Our advice to them is to not do this.

"They will still be required to quarantine after arriving back in Wales.

"This part of the restrictions has not changed."