It's the news that many hospitality businesses and local pubs feared in North Wales.

As anticipated following the Welsh Government announcement last week, more restrictions are coming into play from Friday which will see pubs and restuarants banned from selling alcohol and having to close their doors at 6pm.

Pubs and restuarants will be allowed to offer takeaways as an alternative but will be not permitted to sell takeaway alcohol.

First Minister Mark Drakeford says this action is in response to new cases of Coronavirus which have risen higher than predicted across the country.

"Unfortunately, the virus is moving incredibly quickly across Wales and is eroding the gains we made during the firebreak period. We now need to take further steps together as a nation to protect people’s health and slow the spread of coronavirus."

Other venues which include galleries, cinemas, bowling allies and bingo halls will also have to shut until Welsh Government data suggests otherwise. The planned easing of the restrictions to allow families to meet over the Christmas period from the 23rd of December will not be effected by this latest set of rules.

Over the weekend, the leader of Conwy County Borough Council Cllr Sam Rowlands wrote to the First Minister urging him to reconsider the nationwide rules which would seriously impact on the hospitality sector in North Wales. This is despite local cases of coronavirus in recent weeks being lower than other parts of Wales. 

He outlined his disappointment that any regional variance of the risk had not been considered and stated the contribution that the hospitality sector makes to the North Wales economy.

A survey from North Wales Tourism in late summer suggested that as many as a quarter of tourism related businesses may consider closure if another lockdown or heavy restrictions were brought in again before spring.

Welsh Government will be making a support package worth £340 million available to support businesses impacted by the latest restrictions.