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The Prime Minister has announced new restrictions that people in Wales must follow in an attempt to help address the increase in coronavirus cases.
Six Welsh local authorities are already locked in, with Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Newport and Merthyr Tydfil following Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerphilly in a lockdown at 6pm today.
Cardiff, Swansea, the Vale of Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire are now classified as “areas of concern”. You can see the coronavirus infection rates for each part of Wales here.
The virus is circulating throughout Wales and fears of a second wave across the border into England prompted Boris Johnson to introduce a number of new restrictions – they were announced today in the House of Commons and can be read here.
Speaking tonight, Mark Drakeford said: “In the weeks and months ahead, there is a very real possibility that we may see the coronavirus regain a foothold in our local communities, towns and cities.
“None of us want that to happen again. 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year. We have all sacrificed so much. Families have lost loved ones. People have lost their jobs and livelihoods. This is a highly infectious virus. We cannot allow it to take over our lives again. We have gone too far to allow this to happen again. “
He said that after a meeting this morning, “the Prime Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister and I have agreed to take some additional coordinated actions across the UK to control the spread of the coronavirus.”
He added: “Because we have taken a different approach in Wales, some of the actions that are being introduced elsewhere are already underway here.”
New measures announced in Wales
- Pubs, cafes, restaurants and casinos (and any other hospitality business) must close at 10 pm. They will also have to provide table service only. This applies as of Thursday at 6pm.
- Outside of licenses, including supermarkets, they will also need to stop selling alcohol at 10pm
- A £ 500 payment will be issued to help low-income people who need to isolate themselves and regulations will be strengthened to ensure that employers support those who need to isolate themselves in this way.
- The Prime Minister also asked people to travel only when necessary, saying: “The fewer people we meet and the less trips we make, the safer we will all be.” However, except in the already closed areas in Wales, which They are Subject to specific travel restrictions, this is not currently an established rule that applies throughout Wales and is more of a guideline.
Rules and guidance already in force in Wales
- You should work from home whenever possible
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You can only meet six people indoors and make sure those six people are part of your extended home
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Must wear face covers on public transportation, in stores, and in enclosed public spaces
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In some parts of South Wales, which have seen the steepest increases in cases, even stricter local restrictions already exist to protect people’s health; you can read those restrictions here.
Do you understand the rules? Let us know in this survey:
“Now we need to make that difference again in Wales,” Drakeford said.
“His efforts helped us get through the first wave of spring – he followed the rules and helped reduce coronavirus cases, protecting the NHS and saving lives.
“We need everyone to follow the rules and guidance and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. Together we can keep Wales safe. ”
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