New restrictions for pubs and restaurants have been announced by Mark Drakeford today, and will come into effect on Friday 4 December.

The new rules are that pubs, restaurants and cafés can open but are not allowed to serve alcohol and must shut at 6pm.

After 6pm, restaurants, pubs, cafés can continue providing takeaway services.

The Welsh Government clarified that some pubs will be able to sell alcohol as part of a takeaway if that premises has a license for off-sales.

The ban on alcohol sales will not extend to supermarkets or off-licences, which must already stop selling alcoholic drinks after 10pm.

Indoor entertainment venues including cinemas, bowling alleys, bingo halls, soft play centres, casinos, skating rinks and amusement arcades will close from Friday, as will indoor attractions such as museums, galleries and heritage sites.

Outdoor attractions can remain open and the rest of the national measures will remain the same.

There are no changes to extended household rules, outdoor meeting restrictions or restrictions for other businesses.

Currently in Wales four people can meet indoors or outdoors.

The First Minister said that the rules will come into effect later this week in response to hospitality businesses saying they need time to react and prepare for the new rules.

"I recognise how hard hospitality venues have worked," said Mark Drakeford.

"I am very grateful for everything the sector has done and I know these new restrictions will be difficult."

These restrictions will be reviewed on 17 December and every three weeks afterwards.

When the English lockdown ends on 2 December, the Welsh Government will review the current travel restrictions.

The Welsh Government has reportedly been examining the tier three of the Scottish system, where the same closing time and alcohol rules are in place.

At a press conference last Friday, Mark Drakeford said he had agreed the five-day period between 23-27 December where up to three households can meet for Christmas with English, Scottish and Irish ministers.

The First Minister also spoke of creating "headroom" before Christmas, as Coronavirus cases are increasing following the firebreak.

"Unfortunately, over the last seven days we're beginning to see Coronavirus rates rise again," said Mr Drakeford.

"The ground that we gained during the firebreak lockdown is being eroded as Coronavirus thrives on normal human behaviour.

"The result of the recent days is that hospital systems in Wales remain under increased pressure.

"More than 1,700 people are in hospital with Coronavirus in Wales. In September there were 400. This shows how quickly the situation can change.

"We too now need to use the coming weeks to reduce the spread of the virus and create more headroom for the Christmas period. The cabinet has agreed to take further and specific action.

"We will focus on places where we meet where the virus thrived," he said.

Over the weekend the Welsh Government finalised plans for restaurants and pubs, to support them through what Mr Drakeford described as a "worrying time" for hospitality workers "designed to meet the unique circumstances we need".

The First Minister promised "the most generous package of financial support in the UK" which consists of £180 million available to Welsh hopsitality businesses, on top of the financial support already offered.

This will allow eligible small and medium-sized businesses to receive up to £100,000, and up to £150,000 for larger Welsh-based businesses.

Another £160 million is being offered in the Restrictions Business Fund to enable an estimated 60,000 hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses to access grants of up to £5,000.

This fund is in addition to various support schemes available from UK government.

Penarth hospitality businesses are reacting to the news.

"As far as we're concerned it is upsetting because we'll lose all our Christmas trade," says Willmore's 1938's Matt Holland. "We usually run into the evenings and have parties so that won't be happening. Also, there's no alcohol sales so that takes away a big bulk of our trade over Christmas."

"It all depends now on the financial package they'll put in place to make the shortfall up for last year. That's the significant part for us now.

"I think it's important to keep people safe and when people are drinking their inhibitions drop, but in our environment people are pretty good.

"We'll just move forward and do what we did previously and put out our takeaway Christmas platter. We'll keep adapting, overcoming and moving forward.

"It's even more important now for people to stay local, and we'll keep supporting people and local businesses - that's the most important thing."

The Forty Four Group, which operates the Penarth tapas bar Bar 44 and several others in South Wales has issued a statement saying the new restrictions have forced cease operations:

"It's with a heavy heart that we have to shut all our Welsh-based sites this Friday at 6pm. We are not sure when we will be allowed to reopen again "

"Ultimately it comes down to an economic decision to try to safeguard the future of our company, our immense team, our families.

"We haven't put 20 years of blood sweat and tears into this to let it go now. We have much more to do with goals and aspirations undampened. We need to be here on the other side."

"The only correct option for us is to go back into hibernation"

Angelina Hall, Chair of Penarth Business Group, also urges residents to spend locally:

"The hospitality Industry are having such a tough time. Many have changed their business models to still be able to trade.

"Locals can help greatly by ordering the takeaway & delivery services that are being offered by many. However small the purchase, if the local community will keep supporting these businesses, it will make a big difference to their survival."