THE easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions is being approached by the Welsh Government on the basis that it will begin to happen in all parts of Wales at the same time.

With differing approaches to the lifting of restrictions beginning to fracture a UK-wide consensus - and with coronavirus affecting regions differently - there has been talk of easing lockdown measures earlier in some places than others.

But health minister Vaughan Gething said today that a Wales-wide approach is seen as the way forward here.

Addressing the issue at the daily Welsh Government coronavirus briefing, Mr Gething said he does not think it would be practical to police the introduction of different measures in different areas, and that easing lockdown in one area might cause an influx of people that could in turn enable the virus to spread.

The approach to lifting restrictions in England is now different to that in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday diverging from that of the devolved nations.

Concerns have been raised that the result could be an influx of people into Wales from England - but Mr Gething reiterated First Minister Mark Drakeford's comments yesterday, to the effect that closing the border between England and Wales "is not a real option".

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"Policing and enforcing the laws, regulations and guidance we have here in Wales is more helpful," said Mr Gething.

"We are obviously concerned about the change in tone from the UK Government. We do not think it is helpful."

He also sought to detail the reasoning behind why garden centres are being allowed to reopen when social distancing measures have been implemented in them.

With garden centres, said Mr Gething, there is the ability for them to introduced social distancing measures on the lines of those at supermarkets - and they also provide a means for people to pursue an activity at home or in their own gardens.

He said too that Wales's Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton has considered the evidence presented to SAGE - the expert body advising the UK Government - and has also looked at World Health Organisation advice, and "he does not recommend that everyone wear face masks or coverings".

"He believes it should be a matter of personal choice," said Mr Gething, who added that Dr Atherton will explain his reasoning in a statement later today.

More than 3,000 people in Wales have "responded to hospital care and treatment and are now recovering at home", and around 1,200 people in Wales are taking part in "urgent coronavirus studies", said Mr Gething.