MORE than 3,000 new cases of coronavirus across Wales today as the nation prepares for new restrictions after Christmas.

Daily figures released this lunch time show that 3,129 new cases have been recorded nationwide, along with three new deaths.

Of those new cases, 51 have been recorded in Ceredigion, with Gwynedd recording 117 and Carmarthenshire, 165.

Pembrokeshire has recorded 152 new cases today with Powys recording 104.

The three new deaths recorded today take the total since the start of the pandemic in Wales to 6,504.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales has recorded one new death today, taking its total to 1,120.

No new deaths have been recorded in the Hywel Dda region of west Wales or in Powys, with their totals remaining at 620 and 86 respectively.

Speaking at a press conference this lunch time, First Minister Mark Drakeford outlined plans for tackling the rise in coronavirus.

He said: “This is the calm before the storm.

“There are around 100 confirmed cases (of Omicron variant) in Wales in every health board.

“Today we are setting out new guidance to keep us all safe and well

“This is a virus that thrives on human contact.

“The Omicron variant particularly likes gatherings and enclosed spaces.

“If you can think about the number of people you meet

“Especially if you are seeing older or vulnerable people over Christmas.

“Remember that meeting outdoors is better than meeting indoors and spread out your socialising.

“Updated details about care home visiting will be published by the end of this week.

“A smaller Christmas will be a safer Christmas.

“Because we expect cases of Omicron to increase rapidly after Christmas, we will introduce new measures.

“Shops, workplaces and businesses will be open after Christmas, but with new restrictions in place.

“Nightclubs will close on 27 December.

“We are having further discussions with sector representatives about major events which are planned in the post-Christmas period.

“For all those reasons, financial support will be newly made available.

“We have been able to manage coronavirus in Wales with the lowest level of restrictions over the past six months.

But sadly Omicron poses a new threat to our health and to our safety.

It is the most serious development in the pandemic to date and it is one that we must take seriously.