NOW UPDATED ...
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* Llangollen Railway has cancelled train services until the end of April.
Visiting at all North Wales hospitals is being restricted to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
From today (Wednesday, 18 March), all visits to patients will be restricted to 15 minutes at both our main hospitals, mental health wards and community hospitals. Visits will be restricted to between 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 7.30pm.
Only one visitor per patient will be allowed, and children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to visit the ward areas.
Visits to our children’s wards will also be restricted to one parent or carer at a time.
Visiting to our labour wards will be restricted to one birthing partner per expectant mother. Similarly, family and friends visiting newborn babies will also be restricted to one person at a time.
Visitor guidance rules may be relaxed for end of life care, mental health, critically ill patients, and patients with dementia. We understand that family care and involvement could be a key part of a loved one’s recovery, and ask that you discuss any specific visiting needs with your ward sister or charge nurse.
The Health Board is also encouraging family and friends of patients under our care to consider alternative ways of keeping in touch, including the use of our hospitals’ free WiFi to use FaceTime or video calling.
Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Gill Harris said: “In response to the Coronavirus situation, we are making temporary changes to our visiting times across our hospitals.
“We understand the importance of patients staying in contact with their loved ones. But the safety of our patients and staff is paramount, and it is crucial that we take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of infection in our hospitals.
“If you can’t be there in person, we do offer free WiFi throughout our hospitals. So for those with access to smartphones or tablets, we would encourage virtual visiting as a great way to keep in touch, where appropriate.
“Most importantly, you must not visit if you are unwell with flu-like symptoms including a high temperature or new continuous cough currently or within the last 7 days. In addition, if you have any symptoms relating to a stomach upset, including diarrhoea and/or vomiting do not come to the hospital.”
The best way to protect yourself and others against Coronavirus is to:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
The main cafe at the world-famous Ponderosa Cafe on the Horseshoe
Pass, together with its adjacent shop, have both been closed due to
coronavirus concerns.
However, its recently-opened gift shop in Llangollen town centre
remains open.
On its Facebook site the Ponderosa says: “It is with great
disappointment that due to the Covid-19 pandemic we as a family at the
Ponderosa have made the decision to shut the main Café for the foreseeable
future.
“We at the Ponderosa are putting the safety of our loyal
customers and members of staff first.
“As we accommodate customers from far and wide across the UK
it would be irresponsible to open as we have such a diverse demographic of
clientele.
“Covid 19 as I am sure you are all aware this is a crisis
for the country and things are going to get worse before they get better, and
due to the volume of people who visit the Ponderosa, we simply cannot in good
conscious continue to open the main cafe.”
And The Shop in the Clouds says: “In light of the current
situation regarding the COVID-19 The Shop In The Clouds understandably will be
supporting the decision of the Cafe manager and closing the gift shop
accordingly. We will remain closed until we feel confident for the safety of
our customers.
“This has not been an easy decision to make and would like
to remind you we have a website and will be putting a virtual shop on line
within the next few days.
“We have our recently opened Shop Around The Corner, Oak
Street, which will remain open.”
“If you would like to contact us please do via our Facebook
page, E-mail orders@shopintheclouds.com or phone 01978860055.
“Again we are deeply sorry for any inconvenience but we have
the public and loyal customers interests at heart.”
Other businesses affected
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Llangollen Railway has postponed all train services
until the end of next month as a result of coronavirus infection fears.
In a message on its Facebook page it says: “The
safety and well-being of our volunteers, staff and customers is of paramount importance
and we are monitoring the situation daily and following all Government
guidelines.
“Due to the changing situation regarding COVID-19
and Government advice surrounding gatherings, it is with regret we feel it is
both necessary and sensible to postpone our train services with immediate
effect until the end of April. Customers who have purchased tickets will be
contacted over the next two days.
“This is going to be a challenging time for all
heritage railways as we rely on footfall to keep us running. Your
understanding, patience and co-operation is appreciated and we thank you all in
advance for your ongoing support.”
Another coronavirus casualty is the popular
Llangollen Walking Festival.
In a message to llanblogger it says: “It is with
enormous regret that we are forced to cancel the Llangollen Walking Festival 2020.
“The committee has taken this very difficult
decision however, we believe it is the right thing to do. The health and
safety of everyone is a top priority and we must all play our part to reduce
the spread COVID-19.
“For
everyone who has paid for their walk(s) we offer three options:
1: carry your booking over to 2021.
2: donate your booking fee to our charity (Nightingale House Hospice).
3: ask for a refund (the Eventbrite booking fee will be deducted as this is
taken at source).
Please email us with your preferred option - hello@TREKsmart.net”
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Also reducing its operations is Llangollen Town Council.
It has
sent out a message to the public saying: “At present no member of the Town
Council staff is showing any signs of illness whatsoever.
“However,
as from Wednesday 18thMarch 2020, it is requested that any business
to be conducted with the Town Council Office is either done by email or by
calling 07886 889454 to minimise contact with staff members.
“This is a
preventative measure taken to ensure that Town Council business is not
compromised with either staff having to self-isolate or be absent through
illness.
“As from
the Saturday 21st March2020 the Town Hall, Chamber and Town Council
Offices will be closed for a period of twelve weeks until Monday 15th
June 2020 as prescribed in recent UK Government advice.”
Town
Council contacts are:
The Town
Council has also sent out copies of a coronavirus advice leaflet which was
distributed by volunteers.
St Collen's vicar, Father Less Taylor, has sent out a
message to say that all church services and gatherings for public worship have
been cancelled until further notice.
This includes regular Sunday services and weekday
services.
He explains: “This instruction has come to us from
the Church in Wales who have followed government guidance.”
The Courtyard Cafe says it is making available most
of its main meals as frozen ready dinners for its customers to take home.
Choices, it says, are Welsh lamb’s liver and onions
mash and peas, beef or veg lasagne with garlic bread and coleslaw, steak and
kidney pie with mash and peas, All are £5.
A message on Facebook adds: “Our whole menu is
available to take away, i.ejacket potatoes, baguettes, pannini, quiche.”
Premier Cars (Llangollen and Chirk) says it is still
running, from 8am to midnight,and remonds people it also does shopping runs.
Glanrafon Chapel in its own message says: “In line
with the national effort to curb the impact of the coronavirus and our personal
circumstances the services at Glanrafon Chapel, Princess Street have been
suspended for the time being.
“Our bookshop will also be closed. Please see our
site www.glanrafon.org
for live sermons 11am and 6pm on Sundays and further information.”
A new Facebook page has been set up by Llangollen
Health Centre carrying coronavirus advice and information.
Chirk Castle has announced that its café and shop
will be closed from Saturday 21 March in response to the government's advice
during the coronavirus outbreak.
A message says: “The Estate will remain open for
walking, the car park can be used, and the toilets at Home Farm will be
maintained and available for use.
“This is in line with the government current advice
on social distancing, and we believe that it is important there are still
outdoor spaces for people to use. If the government advice changes this policy
might be changed, so please check our Facebook page or website before
travelling.”
All McDonald’s restaurants in the UK and
Ireland will become takeaways, drive-throughs and delivery operations as the
company attempts to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, chief executive Paul Pomroy
wrote: “Our restaurants will remain open for as long as it is safe to do so.
