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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Coronavirus update from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday, is:

·         First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has set out the further details about the new national measures which will be introduced when the firebreak ends on November 9.

o   In a statement to the Senedd, he confirmed a group of four people would be able to meet in indoor public spaces, such as pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes.

o   The hospitality sector will also introduce pre-booking, time slots and collect contact details to support the Test Trace Protect system.

o   The 10pm curfew on alcohol sales will remain in place in Wales.

o   The system will be reviewed after two weeks.

o   The First Minister’s statement is available at: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/6616#A61801  

 

·         The Covid-19 risk assessment tool is available to download for a variety of workplace settings, including the NHS and education

o   The self-assessment tool was developed by the Covid-19 BAME advisory group

o   More information: https://gov.wales/covid-19-workforce-risk-assessment-tool

 

Firebreak information

·         A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9

·         Frequently asked questions https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions

·         Overview of the rules to follow (multiple languages) https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-guidance-summary

·         Closure of businesses summary: https://gov.wales/closure-businesses-and-premises-coronavirus-covid-19

·         Taxi and private hire vehicles guidance: https://gov.wales/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-guidance

·         Further education and apprenticeships: https://gov.wales/further-education-and-apprenticeships-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance

·         Childcare and play guidance: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance

·         Exams and assessments: https://gov.wales/examinations-and-assessments-coronavirus

·         Schools guidance: https://gov.wales/schools-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance

·         Support for businesses: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/covid-19-support-business

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,119 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 54,456 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Sadly, another four deaths were reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 1,895.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 

·         Public Health Wales has added a map to its surveillance dashboard showing the number of Covid-19 cases in small local areas. The map shows cases on a rolling seven-day or 21-day basis, or all cases since the start of the pandemic. It shows the number of cases and the rate per 100,000 people: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

·         The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving COVID-19, for the week ending 23 October.

o   The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents up to 23 October was 2,806.

o   Of the deaths registered in the week ending 23 October, there were provisionally 65 deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents. This was 10% of all deaths and 18 more than the previous week. The number of weekly registered deaths involving Covid peaked in April.

o   This is the sixth successive week the number of deaths have increased and they are at the highest level since mid-June.

o   For the period 29 February to 23 October, there were a total of 2,418 excess deaths (12%) above the five-year average. The excess death rate for Wales for this period was lower than in England.

o   https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

Where to find the latest information

·         A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9. More information: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions 

·         Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/

·         Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         If you can help the effort to produce PPE in Wales please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/provision-critical-equipment-and-personal-protection-equipment-ppe

·         The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL translator. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1323599344717606913

 

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Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Businesses will cease to trade if there are more lockdowns, survey shows

* Ashley Rogers, commercial director of the Business Council.

A survey has revealed that 40% per cent of North Wales businesses across tourism, hospitality, retail and leisure say they will cease to trade if there are any more lockdowns.

The study, conducted by North Wales Tourism with support from the North Wales Business Council, also revealed that 17% of those who took part had already made people redundant as a result of the Covid restrictions – with many more job losses likely.

Almost a third of the companies that responded said they were planning more redundancies by the end of March losing on average 27% of their current workforce.

On top of that more than 30% said that any new lockdowns would mean further redundancies over and above those already planned.

According to Ashley Rogers, the commercial director of the Business Council, the findings laid bare the "catastrophic" economic consequences of the pandemic so far and what will happen without additional financial support from the UK and Welsh governments.

More than 360 companies from across the region took part in the Trade Impact Survey which was carried out over four days.

The aim was to find out how local lockdowns affected businesses and what impact any further lockdowns would have on them. 

For the average business, only 18% of their turnover was generated by local customers who live in the same county.

But for accommodation providers like hotels, guest houses, camping sites and caravan parks, only five per cent of their turnover came from locals.

Meanwhile, 69% of businesses said that trading is not viable for them under a local lockdown and they would need to close until travel restrictions were lifted.

Concerns were also expressed about the impact the crisis was having on the mental and physical health of people running the businesses.

Over a third said their mental health was badly affected while 13% said their physical health had suffered.

Mr Rogers said: “The data is clear, even with the existing and recently announced supports from both UK and Welsh Governments we are looking at major job losses across these sectors even without any further lockdowns.

“Should further lockdowns restrict travel and therefore access to North Wales for our main sources of visitors, the North West of England and the Midlands, then the majority of our businesses in these sectors are unable to trade viably, even if they are allowed to remain open.

“In the case of further lockdowns in North Wales or in our main customer markets, further financial support has to be provided to tourism, hospitality, leisure, retail and their direct supply chains.

“We will not avoid the catastrophic economic and mental health fallout in these sectors if more lockdowns are brought in, without further Government support and that needs to be coordinated between UK and Welsh Government, so that national Wales and UK wide schemes dovetail to support our businesses that are negatively impacted but allowed to remain open or required to close.”

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism and the chair of the Business Council, said: “The private sector has responded with incredible speed to this call for live feedback on what is happening in North Wales and our businesses should be applauded for getting involved.

“This is in line with the huge amount of work and investment they have already undertaken to become Covid secure. One local hotel alone has spent £40,000 on making changes to their business.

“We understand that public health comes first but the results of this study shout from the rooftops what is coming down the line, if further lockdowns are put in place without further support.

“The private sector in our region needs two things, meaningful engagement around future lockdowns and the data that supports them and new financial support, should new restrictions be put in place.

“We are asking the public sector to do the right thing by our North Wales businesses and workers across the sectors impacted by lockdowns, and to engage with the private sector on a regional level.

“North Wales Tourism is committed to working with the Business Council and its membership and both Welsh and UK Governments to see how we can use this valuable data, to best support our region.”

Debbie Bryce, the chief executive of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce said: “The results of this survey lay bare the dramatic impact lockdown restrictions are having on the tourism, hospitality, retail and leisure businesses in North Wales.”

“Firms have put hard work and precious cash into making their businesses Covid-secure and must be allowed to operate unless there is overwhelming and clear evidence to the contrary. For those firms that are forced to close or reduce operations, there needs to be a clear exit strategy to prevent economic paralysis.”

“The survey reveals the stark reality that without further financial support from UK and Welsh government for those businesses affected by lockdowns, there will be catastrophic consequences for firms in North Wales.”

Mike Learmond, FSB North Wales Senior Development Manager, said: “Firms were already weathering a huge storm before the beginning of the firebreak lockdown, and this will only lead to more challenges for Wales’ business community.

“For some time, FSB Wales has been calling for Welsh Government to introduce a Tourism Hibernation Fund to provide a mix of grant and loan funding to those tourism and hospitality firms that have borne the brunt of the economic impact of coronavirus.

“These businesses need our support in order to manage the difficult winter months and still be able to come back in the spring of 2021.

“This survey lays bare some of the huge issues facing businesses and outlines just how important it is that we all consider supporting local firms whenever it is safe and possible. I would urge anyone who can to think about how they can support the firms that are the very fabric of our communities at such a critical time.”

Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “This survey provides a stark warning of the challenges ahead for the retail industry in North Wales. 

“The extent to which retail remains the cornerstone of our high streets and can remain the largest private sector employer will be heavily dependent on the decisions made by MSs and governments.

“Government support for retail during the pandemic has been substantial, but lockdowns and travel restrictions have had a devastating impact. With retailers’ revenues continuing to fall short more will be required.”

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Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government


Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday, is:

 

 

 

 

Firebreak information

  • A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9

Coronavirus in numbers

Where to find the latest information

o   First Minister Mark Drakeford held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1323237353956143105

 
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Monday, November 2, 2020

Temporary traffic measures begin to be put in place


* New double yellow lines outside the library and the Town Hall.


* Line painting in progress on Castle Street this morning.

The package of temporary traffic measures designed to aid public safety in the town centre during the pandemic started to be applied today (Monday).

First signs of the new times were double yellow lines along Castle Street where parking is now prohibited.

Denbighshire County Council recently published the temporary traffic order enabling the moves.

The council says it is making the order for “reasons of public safety following the pandemic and in accordance with Welsh Government regulations”.

The aim, it says, is to “facilitate easier on-street mobility of the public on foot or by pedal cycle with greater self-distancing for individuals”.

The order come into force today and will remain in force for a maximum of 18 months.

It enables the council to:

* Reverse the one-way restriction on Church Street between its junction with Chapel Street and its junction with Regent Street. 

This, says the council, will reduce instances of ‘rat running’ and provide improved access to schools and the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.

* Introduce a widened pedestrian area on the eastern side of Castle Street between its junction with Bridge Street and its junction with Regent Street. 

This will be achieved with the introduction of bolt-down kerbing and will provide enhanced facilities for people to social distance and travel actively. 

To facilitate this work, on-street parking will be suspended on Castle Street for the duration of the trial period.

* Introduce a one-way restriction on Market Street between its junction with Castle Street and its junction with East Street. 

Vehicles will be allowed to enter Market Street from Castle Street and proceed in a westerly direction. 

The purpose of this restriction is to provide an additional loading bay, for use by businesses, along the north side of Market Street.

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What's happening in Wales after firebreak lockdown ends


* First Minister Mark Drakeford in today's press conference. 

A new set of national rules will apply once the Wales-wide firebreak lockdown comes to an end at 00:01 on Monday November 9.

The First Minister said in this afternoon's press conference that everyone in Wales has an important part to play in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus – and this means thinking carefully about the contact we all have with other people.

He added: "The more people we meet, the more people are at risk from coronavirus."

The new national measures, which the First Minister began to set out today, are designed to protect people’s health and provide as much freedom as possible while the virus remains in circulation.

Some of the new measures are still being finalised following the "unexpected" announcement over the weekend about a month-long lockdown in England, which will start on Thursday.

The new national measures include:

  • The need to maintain two metre social distancing and wear face masks in enclosed public places, including on public transport and taxis, will continue
  • The requirement to work from home whenever possible will remain
  • People should only meet with their ‘bubble’ in their own home and only two households will be able to form a ‘bubble’. If one person from either household develops symptoms, everyone should immediately self-isolate
  • Up to 15 people can take part in an organised indoors activity and up to 30 in an organised activity outdoors, providing all social distancing, hand hygiene and other covid safety measures are followed
  • All premises, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and gyms, closed during the firebreak, will be able to reopen. Following the announcement about the English lockdown, Ministers are having ongoing discussions with the hospitality sector about the detailed rules for reopening. This includes about meeting in public indoor spaces
  • As part of keeping risks to a minimum, people should avoid non-essential travel as much as possible. There will be no legal restrictions on travel within Wales for residents, but international travel should be for essential reasons only.

In addition:

  • All schools will reopen
  • Churches and places of worship will resume services
  • Local authority services will resume but based on local circumstances
  • Community centres will be available for small groups to meet safely indoors in the winter months.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Each of us has an important part to play in slowing the spread of coronavirus in Wales and saving lives – we cannot do this without your help.

"Everyone has made so many sacrifices this year already. To make sure we do not lose all this hard work, we need to carry on looking after each other and keeping ourselves safe.

"This is a virus which thrives on human contact. Social contact is important to all of us but to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, we need to think carefully about all our meetings and contacts with other people and try and reduce them to reduce our risk of infection.

"Rather than us asking what we can or can’t do, we need to ask ourselves what should we be doing to keep our families safe.

"Government rules and regulations are here to help. But the real strength we have is in the choices we make and the actions we take together."

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Your views on creating better communities are sought


* Before the lockdown, a repair cafe in full swing.

Llangollen and Mold Town Councils and a number of community groups from across North East Wales have developed a short online survey to explore ideas which could help reduce household costs, increase well-being, provide learning opportunities and reduce pressure on our planet.

Mair Davies, one of the team from Llangollen, said: “Opinions are wanted on a number of initiatives to support a more circular economy in Wales – one where items are reused, repaired, swapped and borrowed rather than people buying new each time. 

"Some of these initiatives could include repair cafes, community recycling, clothes swaps, refill schemes and Libraries of Things. 

"The idea of a Library of Things is to help cut expenditure on items that are not often used - such as hand drills, hedge trimmers, suitcases and tents - and to reduce the amount of new products being bought.

“In an excellent display of cooperation and co-working, Llangollen and Mold Town Councils have pledged their support to a Mobile Library of Things and a sum £4,500 each over the next three years to help deliver this joint project in their communities – subject to additional funding to deliver the project being secured."

She added: "We are looking to engage with businesses, residents and community groups and local councils in our areas and beyond to try and find out how we can best deliver circular economy initiatives and use this information to obtain further funding to collaborate  and provide the support our communities need.”

Andrea Mearns from Mold Town Council said: "These initiatives are firmly in line with Cittaslow principles around sustainability and also the Welsh Government commitment to Future Generations, reducing carbon emissions and impact on biodiversity.

“Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by November 11, 2020. Your views are important to us. And please share the link to the survey widely."

The survey can be found on facebook at CircularEconomyNEW, or https://forms.gle/yfRtkdVRuEFHevBe9

If you would prefer the survey sending in the post get in touch with Mold Town Council on 01352 757687.

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Nominate your local pub for an award, says MP

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) is supporting PubAid’s campaign and encouraging local entries for its 2020 Community Pub Hero Awards.

Every year, PubAid runs a competition to find the Charity Pub of the Year, sponsored by Matthew Clark and run in conjunction with the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. 

This year, the country’s pubs, and people’s lives more broadly, have been disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown. 

Pubs closed and fundraising became near-impossible – but that didn’t stop licensees and their teams across the country from doing all they could to support their communities.

PubAid therefore decided to change the name of the competition this year to the Community Pub Hero Awards, and are looking for pubs who went the extra mile to help others during the pandemic. 

Maybe by offering vital supplies for local residents, cooking hot meals for the elderly or keeping people connected through online quizzes or chats. 

Simon Baynes said: "There are some amazing pubs in Clwyd South who have really gone the extra mile to help their communities through the pandemic. 

"I’d encourage any Clwyd South residents who know of any such pubs to send in a nomination so our local licensees and teams get the recognition they deserve.”

* To nominate a pub, please complete a nomination form before 30th November by visiting http://www.pubaid.com/.

Judges will review entries received and publish a shortlist. All finalists will be invited, with their MP, to an online ceremony in the new year when the overall winner will be announced. 

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Sunday, November 1, 2020

Shape My Llangollen secures £3,500 National Lottery windfall to finish its work

* In summer 2019 SML chair and vice-chair, Phil Robinson and Issy Richards, conduct  a public consultation exercise outside the Co-op in Regent Street.

The team putting together Llangollen’s official input into the county’s new Local Development Plan (LDP) has received a £3,500 National Lottery windfall to finish the job.

Shape My Llangollen was formed by the town council in 2018 to ensure Llangollen people have their say on the new masterplan for Denbighshire’s future up until the year 2033.

A team of volunteers embarked on an exhaustive round of public consultation to sound out local opinion on a range of key issues.

They eventually received over 1,700 separate answers on a very wide range of topics such as traffic and parking, the appearance of the town centre, local services and facilities and the environment.

The mass of evidence gathered has been constantly refined and will eventually be published in SML’s final report which will be subject to scrutiny by the town council before being submitted to the county council for incorporation into the new LDP.

Shape My Llangollen was just about to host its final round of public consultation when the country went into its first Covid-19 lockdown back in March.

Despite the need to observe social distancing SML’s work has continued, with its members getting together at regular online meetings.

However, a lay-off of over seven months put the work of the team way behind schedule, especially the completion of its final report, and so to bring it back on track members recently took the decision to employ specialist consultants to put their expert finishing touches to the project.

In a bid to secure the necessary cash to cover the cost of the consultants the team recently put in a bid to the National Lottery.

And it has just been given the good news that it has been granted £3,594 by the Lottery’s Community Fund.

This will go to cover the full cost of the consultants who are based in Powys and have done similar work for major organisations across Wales.

SML chair Phil Robinson said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Lottery has agreed to grant us this money which will now allow us to finish the job we started over two years ago.

“Like many organisations our work, which we believe is vital to the future of our town, was disrupted by the pandemic.

“In our case that was just as we were reaching the final furlong of what had been quite a tough exercise.

“We believe that our consultations with the public were the most exhaustive ever undertaken in Llangollen and resulted in over 1,700 separate answers to the questions we posed on what people liked and disliked about their town and the way in which they would like to see it go forward.

“We remain extremely grateful to everyone who took part in our question-and-answer sessions and now also to the Lottery’s Community Fund by granting us this fantastic sum which will help our work to be finished and our community to thrive.”          

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MP welcomes extra 95 police in north Wales since last year


Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed the announcement that North Wales has been bolstered by an additional 95 officers since the Conservative UK Government launched its major police recruitment drive one year ago.

The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across North Wales up to 1,602.

Since the launch of the UK Government’s recruitment campaign one year ago, a total of 5,824 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.

My Baynes says these statistics confirm that the UK Government remains fully on track to meet its manifesto commitment of recruiting 20,000 extra officers by 2023, and is ahead of schedule to have the first 6,000 in place by March 2021.

The figures also show, he says, that the police workforce is now more diverse than ever before, with 10.7 per cent of new recruits identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, and with 9,842 of all officers now being from these groups.

"Alongside the recruitment campaign, the Conservative UK Government is also boosting police pay by 2.5 per cent this year, equivalent to a constable receiving an extra £1,100, providing officers with an increase above inflation for the second year running, the largest pay rise in a decade," Mr Baynes said.

"The Government is also enshrining a new police covenant into law, which will offer enhanced support and protection for frontline officers, and is bringing forward legislation to double the maximum sentence for those convicted of assaults on frontline staff including police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

"Other steps to support our frontline officers include a £1.1 billion funding boost for police forces this year – the biggest increase in a decade, funding to provide over 8,000 more officers with Taser devices, and personalised new stop and search powers so that officers can effectively target repeat offenders."

He added: "Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of people’s top priorities, so I am delighted that in just over one year, this Conservative Government has already delivered an extra 95 officers across North Wales.

“Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I know that many more will follow as this UK Government continues to deliver on its promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years.

“By backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, we are keeping the public and our communities safe, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Getting more police officers on our streets is a priority for the British people – therefore a priority for me.

“Just one year since we began recruiting, I am delighted that there are nearly 6,000 of the 20,000 additional officers on our streets cutting crime and making your communities safer.

“As we’ve seen from the frontline response to coronavirus, the work of each and every police officer helps to save lives and I would like to extend my gratitude to them, and to the new recruits, for joining the police and being a part of this heroic national effort.”

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Saturday, October 31, 2020

Railway launches urgent appeal to save crucial Dee Bridge


* Urgent repairs are needed to Dee Bridge on the line of Llangollen Railway.

Llangollen Railway has launched an urgent appeal to raise £15,000 for repairs to a Victorian bridge vital to its running of trains.

In a post on its Facebook page, the railway's fundraiser officer Paul Bailey says: "If we are to run trains over the Dee Bridge next year we first have to renew the timbers on the bridge.

"This work, including purchasing the timbers, is costing £15,000 - monies the railway currently has not got.

"We have therefore launched an appeal to raise these monies without which we will not be able to carry out the necessary repairs to run train services in 2021.

"If anyone wishes to contribute to this appeal please contact me on 01490 450271, or email paulbaileywincham@yahoo.co.uk for payment methods."

A railway spokesperson said: "The bridge dates from 1865 when the line opened but is a remarkable survivor as the scrapman didn't demolish it in 1968 when the line was closed by Beeching.

"Without it remaining in situ the infant Llangollen Railway would never have got beyond Pentrefelin.

"The LR society, as it was, renovated it in 1984 with some grant aid as part of the extension to Berwyn.

"The need for renewal now is for the timbers which support the rails across the steel structure - a regular maintenance job. It is made more complex this time by the lack of income when no trains are running, with the appeal to members and supporters for cash to allow the expensive new timbers to be purchased ahead of replacement work in 2021."

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Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

 



  • Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday (Friday), is: 

  • People told to self-isolate for up to 14 days will be eligible for financial support from the Welsh Government as two new schemes are unveiled today [Friday October 30].
    • People on low incomes can apply to receive a £500 payment if they have tested positive for coronavirus or they are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
    • And a new top-up payment is being introduced for the social care workforce in Wales, to increase statutory sick pay to their normal wages if they have to take time off because they have coronavirus or are self-isolating.
    • Up to £32m is being made available by the Welsh Government for the two schemes to support people and remove the financial barriers faced by people needing to self-isolate.
    • https://gov.wales/two-schemes-help-people-self-isolate-be-introduced-wales
    • Watch First Minister Mark Drakeford’s press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1322150445725310977
  • More than 5,500 businesses have applied for £100m in business development grants

 

 

Firebreak information

  • A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9

 

Coronavirus in numbers

Where to find the latest information

o   First Minister Mark Drakeford held today’s briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1322150445725310977

 
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, October 30, 2020

Welsh Government unveils two new schemes for people told to self-isolate

People told to self-isolate for up to 14 days will be eligible for financial support from the Welsh Government as two new schemes are unveiled today ([Friday).

People on low incomes can apply to receive a £500 payment if they have tested positive for coronavirus or they are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

And a new top-up payment is being introduced for the social care workforce in Wales, to increase statutory sick pay to their normal wages if they have to take time off because they have coronavirus or are self-isolating.

Up to £32m is being made available by the Welsh Government for the two schemes to support people and remove the financial barriers faced by people needing to self-isolate.

First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone and we have asked people to sacrifice so much this year, including during this latest firebreak. We are committed to doing everything we can to support people and protect people’s health and wellbeing.

“Asking people to self-isolate is an important way to break the transmission of the virus but for many people it can mean the loss of income.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our own health and our loved ones’ too but we know just how difficult that can be when faced with a choice between staying at home and not being able being able to feed your family or going to work.

“These new support schemes are targeted towards people on low incomes and are designed to relieve some of the financial pressures people face if they are asked to self-isolate.”

A £500 fixed payment will be available to people who are asked to self-isolate because they have tested positive for coronavirus or because they have been identified as a close contact by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

The payment is available to people on a low income who are unable to work from home and would lose income as a result of self-isolating. To be eligible, people must be self-isolating and in receipt of Universal Credit or another specified benefit. 

The final arrangements are being made for the scheme to go live. People will be able to apply for the payments via their local authority website and they will be backdated to October 23.

The Statutory Sick Pay Enhancement scheme for social care staff working in care homes, domiciliary care and as personal assistants will start on 1 November and will run until 31 March 2021.  

The scheme will top up statutory sick pay to eligible care workers’ full pay if they need to take time off with suspected or confirmed coronavirus or if they are self-isolating because someone in their household has coronavirus or they have been told to by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government said: “If you are told to self-isolate, working from home is not an option for everyone, making this an even more stressful period for people. Some people can feel under pressure to go to work, just to pay the bills.

“The £500 self-isolation payment and the SSP enhancement scheme will help us protect the vulnerable and give people the financial security they need to stay-at-home and break the cycle of transmission.

“There will be some people who do not meet the criteria for the £500 payment but who will suffer financial hardship as a result of being asked to self-isolate. This is why we have introduced a discretionary element to the self-isolation payment, which will be available to a wider group of people.

“Financial support is already available to people through the Emergency Assistance Payment coronavirus hardship element of the Discretionary Assistance Fund.”

Alongside the two schemes, the Welsh Government intends to strengthen coronavirus regulations by imposing a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if told to do so by NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

The regulations will also be strengthened to make it an offence to knowingly provide false information to the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

And a duty will be introduced to ensure employers cannot prevent an employee from following NHS Wales Test Trace Protect advice to self-isolate.

These two schemes will form an important part of the national support and measures which will be introduced after the firebreak.

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