The lockdown has been extended in Wales for another three weeks – although from Monday, people will be allowed to exercise, locally, more than once a day, with planning to start for the reopening of libraries, council tips and garden centres.

The news comes as 28 new deaths are reported by Public Health Wales today (Friday), and 152 new cases in Wales over the last 24 hours.

One new case has been reported in Ceredigion, 12 in Carmarthenshire and 3 in Pembrokeshire. Powys has seen one more confirmed case and Gwynedd 14.

It is still too early for a significant lifting of requirements or restrictions, First Minister Mark Drakeford said today in his three-weekly review of the lockdown.

The lockdown in Wales will be extended for a further three weeks, with minor adjustments proposed but maximum caution maintained to ensure the virus does not spread, First Minister Mr Drakeford confirmed.

To tackle the spread of coronavirus, the Welsh Government introduced regulations in March, which impose strict restrictions on gatherings, the movement of people and the operation of businesses, including closures, in Wales.

They also impose requirements on businesses that are open to take all reasonable measures to ensure physical distancing between people.

The Welsh Ministers must review the need for the requirements and restrictions in the regulations every 21 days.

The latest evidence from the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer for Wales says while the first peak of infection has been passed and rates continue to fall, it is still too early for a significant lifting of requirements or restrictions.

As part of the second review, the Welsh Government decided the lockdown in Wales will continue until the next review period in three weeks’ time.

The First Minister today announced Wales intends to make a series of small adjustments to the regulations, including:

• Allowing people to exercise more than once a day, but people should stay local. This means any exercise should start and end at home and not involve going a significant distance from home.

• Enabling local authorities to begin the process of planning how to safely reopen libraries and municipal recycling centres.

• Allowing garden centres to open provided they comply with the physical distancing duty.

It is intended these adjustments will come into force on Monday, so Wales moves in step with the rest of the UK.

Mr Drakeford said: “The virus remains a very serious threat to us all and we cannot be complacent in any way. For that reason, the stay-at-home regulations will remain in place in Wales.

“Our preference remains a four-nation response to coming out of lock-down, and we remain in consultation with all parts of the UK. Our duty is to the people of Wales, and our decisions will be based on the evidence and specific circumstances of Wales.”

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, welcomed the announcement.

He said: “Public Health Wales welcomes the announcement by the Welsh Government today that lockdown arrangements will continue for the next three weeks, with minor adjustments to regulations.

“Public Health Wales reminds the public to continue to adhere to Welsh Government restrictions on non-essential travel, caravan and campsites, hotels, B&Bs and holiday accommodations, as well as the limited access to our national parks, over the Bank Holiday weekend. We also remind owners of second homes in Wales to act responsibly and to avoid traveling to these homes until restrictions have been lifted.

“We seem to have passed the peak and flattened the curve of new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, which appears to be an indication of the effectiveness of lockdown measures. We are currently working with Welsh Government to determine the best approach for when the lockdown is eventually eased.

“Covid-19 is still circulating in every part of Wales, and the single most important action we can all take in fighting the virus is to stay at home. We want to thank each and every person across Wales for doing their bit to help slow the spread of the virus.”