Author: Rhys Gregory

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has addressed the nation this evening and orders UK to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The announcement comes as the UK death toll has reached 335 today, with 16 of those in Wales. The total number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 6,650, with 418 in Wales. In his statement, the Prime Minister has announced the immediate closure of non-essential businesses and limit people from leaving their homes. The Government has promised to review these measures in three weeks times, and will relax them if they can. Boris Johnson said:…

Following the busiest visitor weekend in living memory in Snowdonia the National Park Authority has today taken further measures to protect rural communities and vital services from the spread of the Coronavirus. In co-operation with the police and local authorities the Snowdonia National Park Authority has closed all its main car parks and is also exploring options to close down the most popular mountains and sites if the situation continues. There will be no parking available for access to the most popular sites in Snowdonia including Snowdon, Ogwen, Cadair Idris, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), the two Aran, Carneddau and Glyderau…

71 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 418, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “71 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 418, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales. “Four further deaths of individuals who have tested…

McDoanld’s has announced plans to close all 1,270 of its UK restaurants by the end of Monday. This follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Friday, that all restaurants and cafes should close, apart from takeaway food outlets. The franchise network who collectively employs 135,000 people in the UK, has said it wants to protect the wellbeing of staff and customers. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, McDonald’s had introduced a number of measures to increase social distancing efforts. They had included closing the seatings areas and placing tape down on the floors to encourage people to space out…

First Minister Mark Drakeford has launched a new campaign about how to help people who are staying at home because of coronavirus. The Looking Out for Each Other campaign focuses on the small things we can all do to help each other during the pandemic. It provides practical guidance about how everyday tasks, like running errands or simply staying in touch, can be done safely, without physical contact to minimise the risk of contracting coronavirus. It will also share information about how to stay mentally and physically active. A new online hub – gov.wales/safehelp – will include a ‘helping hand’…

Cardiff Council is closing Heath Park Car Park to the public in order to provide free parking there for doctors, nurses and other vital NHS staff. Signs are going up in the car park to notify the public that the car park, situated in Heath Park, can only be used by NHS staff. Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Huw Thomas said: “These are unprecedented times and we want to do everything we can to help our colleagues in the NHS. We hope this will make things just a little easier for NHS staff who are doing a remarkable job trying to…

Plans are being made for significant work that will help deliver Swansea city centre regeneration plans. The overnight course of work will switch eight key roads from one-way traffic to two-way. The improvement, being planned and managed by Swansea Council, will mean that the £12m Kingsway Infrastructure Project will be practically complete. Corresponding work, from March 23 to April 10, is due to see the carriageways resurfaced, meaning a series of overnight road closures. One short road will be down to one lane of traffic for two days and nights. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “The major overnight operation to…

Bus and rail operators across Wales have introduced a reduced timetable beginning this week. These changes have come into effect following the Government’s latest briefing surrounding non-essential travel and will be in place until further notice. Operators have cited safety and wellbeing concerns of travellers, as well as seeing a reduction in demand for services. These are the timetable changes where you are… Transport for Wales Transport for Wales will reduce its weekday service to balance a reduction in demand, availability of its workforce and the need to support key workers. Full details of the changes will be available to…

A local pre-school ballet dancing class has moved all its lessons online to enable toddlers to keep dancing during the disruption of the coronavirus outbreak. babyballet Cardiff has moved its classes that are usually held face-to-face to a private and secure online platform. Miss Holly, owner of babyballet Cardiff, said: “It’s a worrying time as the UK deals with the outbreak of the coronavirus but we are remaining very positive. As more and more families self-isolate and limit the amount of social contact that they have, our primary focus is to ensure children and families in and around Cardiff can…

Free rail travel for NHS workers on TfW services from Monday 23rd March 2020. A spokesperson from Transport for Wales said: “At Transport for Wales our primary focus is keeping our colleagues and customers safe, and keep key workers moving. “From Monday 23 March, Transport for Wales will provide all NHS workers free travel to and from work until 30th April on production of their NHS ID. “Key workers are reminded that a reduced timetable will operate throughout the Transport for Wales rail network also starting Monday 23rd March until further notice. “We are doing all we can to keep vital services…