A huge thank you to everyone for the efforts made so far to stop the spread of COVID19.
We now need everyone in Wales to help with the short, sharp “fire-break” announced earlier this afternoon by First Minister, Mark Drakeford, and set to begin at 6pm on Friday.
The fortnight-long action is needed to save lives and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.
- People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, such as for exercise.
- People must work from home wherever possible.
- People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with either indoors or outdoors.
- No gatherings will be allowed outdoors, such as Halloween or fireworks/Bonfire night or other organised activities.
- All non-food retail, hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs (unless they provide take-away or delivery services), close contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, and events and tourism businesses, such as hotels must close.
- Community centres, libraries and recycling centres will be required to close,
- Face coverings must be worn in indoor public spaces, which remain open, including on public transport and in taxis.
During this time:
- Adults living alone or single parents will be able to join with one other household for support.
- Primary and special schools will re-open as normal after half-term.
- Secondary schools will re-open after the half-term for children in years seven and eight and most vulnerable children. Pupils will be able to come in to take exams but other pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week.
- Universities will provide a blend of in-person and online learning.
- NHS and health services will continue to operate.
- Local parks, playgrounds and outdoor gyms will remain open.
The Welsh Government will provide a package of almost £300m to support businesses, which will complement wage-support schemes available from the UK Government.