Author: Rhys Gregory

Police forces across Wales have had a busy weekend implementing the Government’s new social distancing laws. Last week, new powers were given to the police to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives. Empty beaches, high streets and parks are just some of the sights of Wales at the weekend, as the country faced its first weekend under coronavirus lockdown. This comes following unprecedented levels of visitors to parts of Wales, including Pen Y Fan and Snowdonia in North Wales. Car parks were closed, with a heavy police presence in the area, stopping vehicles and…

A Swansea University lecturer and her husband have transformed their popular business to produce approved hand sanitiser amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Siân Brooks and her husband Andrew have swapped making gin for hand sanitiser as the growing demand for the product intensifies both at home and abroad. The pair – who own and run the Gower Gin Company – have been aided by their son Owain, who is a masters student at Swansea University, while Siân herself is a lecturer in PGCE Modern Foreign Languages. The family have been working non-stop at their distillery in the hear of Gower…

Swansea Market businesses will be doing their bit for city communities despite the closure of the city centre venue at the weekend. A number of stallholders have set up a home delivery service to provide essential food supplies to local households. The decision to close the market to the public was taken jointly by Swansea Council, which runs the venue, and stallholders who sold essential supplies – mainly food – there until Saturday. Council officers and traders wish to do all they can to help the city tackle coronavirus, including an adherence to strict social distancing principles. Robert Francis-Davies, the…

The Paediatric Emergency Department (PED), based at the University Hospital for Wales, is temporarily relocating from Monday 30 March 2020 until further notice. Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has made the decision to move its Paediatric Emergency Department to the Seahorse Ward in the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, which is also based at the Health Board’s University Hospital of Wales site. Dr Katja Empson, Clinical Director, Emergency Medicine, said: “Provisionally moving the Paediatric Emergency Department to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales is a safer way for our younger patients…

The Welsh Government has reprioritised its budgets to free up £1.1bn to support the Welsh economy and ensure public services are equipped to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. In the first of a series of announcements, the First Minister will announce a major funding package to support businesses dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic during his press conference later today [Monday 30 March 2020]. More details will be added when the support package is announced.

Immigration rules for employers who have a valid licence to sponsor non-EU nationals have been relaxed in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Employers who sponsor non-EU nationals who are Tier 2 or Tier 5 employees or Tier 4 students prevented from attending their studies or employment due to illness, will not be required to report absences which they have authorised. This means employees and students can follow Government guidelines on self-isolation without the fear of having their visa removed. This is a move welcomed by specialist immigration lawyer Mandie Sewa who says it takes some pressure off of both…

Hundreds of Denbighshire families have taken part in a livestream story and singing session for babies and toddlers. Denbighshire County Council’s library service streamed a Bookstart Rhymetime session for parents and children on Facebook on March 24 with 200 watching live and more than 4,000 views in the following days. The library service’s Donna Hughes-Jones shared stories, songs and rhymes and gave happy birthday greetings to some of the children who usually attend the sessions in the county’s libraries. Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s lead member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “I’m pleased the livestream rhymetime session…

Banished Brits are more dependent on their internet and broadband provider than ever before, with three in five (59%) increasing their internet use due to the restrictions of Covid-19, a new study reveals. As of Monday 23rd March 2020, UK residents were put under strict guidelines to stay at home. The study, from leading price comparison website, Moneyexpert.com, found that 41% of Brits are using the internet for different means because of Covid-19,  and that a third (31%) are finding it a lot more challenging to use the internet for things such as video calls or shopping for food online.…

Marks & Spencer Cardiff foothalls will remain open during the UK lock down in order to provide a vital service to the community. Standalone food stores and Foodhalls in larger stores are open. However, outlet stores that only sell clothing and homeware are temporarily closed, but customers can still shop online. M&S have implemented additional social distancing measures for the safety of customers and its staff, so that people remain 2m apart when they shop. At the tills, they are also installing sneeze guards to protect staff, and are asking customers to pay via guard where possible. Contactless payments are increasing…

Mental health teams across the Swansea Bay University Health Board are joining in the unprecedented effort to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic. Significant changes are being made to reduce the spread of the disease within our hospitals and clinics. All Out Patient appointments up until April 30 have been cancelled and replaced with case note reviews and referrals over the phone. Patients will be contacted via telephone to follow up on their care and treatment. Janet Williams, associate service director, said:  “At this time we want to reduce the number of face to face contacts that we undertake to protect staff…