Residents thanked for efforts during pandemic

* Cllr Hugh Evans.

Denbighshire County Council has thanked residents for their efforts to battle the spread of coronavirus this year and is urging people to follow Welsh Government regulations at Christmas.

It comes as the Welsh Government moved the country into alert Level 4 on December 20.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “I would like, on behalf of the council, to thank our residents for everything they have done this year to keep the most vulnerable members of our communities and frontline workers safe. Our communities have pulled together and this has had a real impact.

“I know the tightening of regulations over Christmas has been hugely disappointing after what has already been a very difficult year, many families will be making sacrifices and will experience a very different Christmas this year.

“With news the new strain of the virus is more infectious, spreads more quickly, and the number of cases is rising we have to act now to stop it, that means it is more important than ever to follow Welsh Government regulations.

“People should continue to practice social distancing and stringent hygiene measures and self-isolate for the full period if you have been contacted by Test, Trace and Protect.

“I want to wish our residents a Merry Christmas and encourage them to enjoy themselves in a responsible way so we can all play our part to continue to help protect our local communities.”

Welsh Government restrictions came into force on December 20 and include limiting household mixing to two households on Christmas Day only.

Throughout alert level 4 rules on household mixing have been tightened, there is a focus on staying-at-home with only essential travel permitted while all non-essential retail, including close contact services, leisure and fitness centres as well as hospitality premises have closed.

During alert level 4:

• Household Waste Recycling Centres will remain open during alert level 4, continuing with the booking system currently in place. Residents are advised to only visit your recycling centre if it is essential, not to go if anyone in your household has symptoms or is self-isolating  and to observe social distancing if you do attend. You must only visit a Denbighshire recycling centre if you have a prearranged appointment. For Christmas opening hours and to book a slot visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling

• Denbighshire libraries will be closed during alert level 4, but are offering an order and collect service and a home library service delivering books to your home. Contact your local library to order books and we will call you back to arrange a time to collect them once they are ready, or arrange to deliver them. You can also order books online and the digital library service for downloading e-books, e-magazines, e-audiobooks and newspapers, continues to operate. For more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

• The Council’s country parks, including Loggerheads and Moel Famau, green spaces, other countryside sites and grounds will remain open. However, facilities including the visitor centre and café at Loggerheads Country Park as well as the cafe at Plas Newydd will close.

• The Ruthin branch of the North East Wales Archives closed on December 18 and will not re-open in the New Year. This will be reviewed later in January once further guidance is released. In the meantime the enquiry service will operate from December 28.