PEOPLE in Wales are being asked to take regular lateral flow tests before going out help protect others in the lead-up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, people will be asked to continue wearing face coverings in all public places.

Those who test positive are strongly advised to not go out, self-isolate and arrange for a PCR test.

That is the advice as Wales is to stay on alert level 0 despite a warning the country is facing a new wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant.

People will also be urged to get their booster jabs during today's covid briefing in Wales, when Mark Drakeford will discuss the findings of the Government’s three-week review.

Getting a third dose of the vaccine is the best protection against the new variant, the First Minister said.

He added: “Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.”

Mr Drakeford said: “The emergence of the Omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic. We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people.

“We are speeding up the rollout of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.”

He added: “We are not back at square one.

“Please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please follow all the advice and all the measures which have kept us safe over the last couple of years. And let’s stay safe and well this Christmas.”

The Welsh Government say more than a million people have now received their booster vaccine.

There remains only a handful of Omicon cases in Wales – nine are currently confirmed.

Ministers have said preparations must be made for cases to rise quickly and sharply given there is now widespread community transmission in many parts of England and Scotland.