Llangollen people take part in Clap for Our Carers 8pm demo

Loud clapping could be heard coming from various parts of town a few minutes ago as people took part in the Clap For Our Carers campaign to salute NHS battling against coronavirus. 

The idea was to applaud health service workers on the dot of 8pm from doorsteps, balconies or windows of homes, in order to say thank you to them for all of their hard work.

Along Regent Street - the furthest llanblogger could go without breaking lockdown regulations - people came out onto their doorsteps and appeared at windows and there were cheers, whistles and the sound of a vuvuzela.

Encouraging people to take part earlier today Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: "Please support this campaign to show our appreciation for doctors, nurses, GPs and every other NHS worker during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis through a nationwide round of applause taking place tonight at 8pm.

"I would encourage everyone to get involved to show their appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice all staff are making on a daily basis."

Virus grants to start reaching businesses next week, says Welsh Government

Businesses will start receiving emergency coronavirus grants by the middle of next week, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates confirmed today.

The Welsh Government is developing a further package of support for the business community to help it deal with the impact of the outbreak. Further details will be available on Monday.

Last week, the Welsh Government announced a £1.4bn package of support for businesses in Wales.

All retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales occupying properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.

This will mean around 8,500 shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, cinemas, live music venues, hotels, guest and boarding houses and self-catering accommodation will receive funding.

A £10,000 grant will be available to a further 63,500 businesses in Wales, which are eligible for small business rates relief and have a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

The business grants will be distributed by local authorities on behalf of Welsh Government.

Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister, Ken Skates said:

“Our commitment to supporting businesses through these incredibly difficult times is unwavering.

“This announcement provides the assurance the business community needs that urgent funds committed by the Welsh Government will reach them quickly.

“We have cut the red tape so the process of accessing the grants will be easier – only essential information is needed from businesses to receive the funding. Firms can access it in a simple and speedy way through our Business Wales website.

“We are continuing to develop our support for businesses, including the self-employed, as we work to manage the unprecedented impact of this pandemic.

“We will do all we can to ensure that a good business today will be a good business next year.

“I want to thank local authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association for their support in administering these grants. This is another great example of partners coming together in a time of national crisis for the greater good.”

Councillor Anthony Hunt, the Welsh Local Government Association’s finance spokesperson said:

“We know this is an exceptionally anxious time for everyone, with businesses in particular being hit hard by uncertainty.

“Councils are eager to support the Welsh Government to deliver this financial assistance as urgently as possible. We ask firms to apply online as soon as possible to allow local authorities to process all payments.”

Local authority web pages are up and running or being developed to ensure funding is made available quickly. Further information about how businesses can access this funding is available on the Business Wales website – https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice 

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced this afternoon self employed people affected by coronavirus will get a grant worth 80% of their average earnings over the last three years, up to a maximum of £2,500. 

The move brings protection for the self-employed into line with those who are employed.

MP encourages people to join in Clap for Our Carers campaign tonight

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is encouraging Llangollen people to join in the Clap For Our Carers campaign which will see people across the UK applaud NHS workers this evening (Thursday) at 8pm.

The idea is to applaud NHS workers from doorsteps, balconies or windows of your own homes, in order to say thank you to NHS workers for all of their hard work.

Simon Baynes said: "Please support this campaign to show our appreciation for doctors, nurses, GPs and every other NHS worker during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis through a nationwide round of applause taking place tonight at 8pm.

"I would encourage everyone to get involved to show their appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice all staff are making on a daily basis."

Public Health wales update - Thursday

Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

This statement will be updated daily at 12pm

Updated: 12:00 Thursday 26 March

Starting today, we will be publishing our Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) statement daily at 2pm.  This is to make sure that the way we report data is consistent with the other UK nations.  We realise how important it is to keep people updated about the spread of Coronavirus, and we ask that the public and media bear with us while this new reporting system is put in place.

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday 25 March

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“150 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 628, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  

“Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales.

“Five further deaths have been reported to us of people who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the number of deaths in Wales to 22.  

“We offer our condolences to the family and friends affected, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.”

As reported previously, the UK and Welsh Government have introduced new measures.

New rules on staying at home, and away from others

The single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. Three new measures have been introduced:

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes

2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces

3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

Everybody must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

These measures are effective immediately. The Welsh Government, working with UK Government, will keep these measures under constant review and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Staying at home

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons:

1. Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

2. One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household

3. Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

4. Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

These four reasons are exceptions.  Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

These measures must be followed by everyone.  Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

If you work in a critical sector outlined in UK Government guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school.  Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.

For the guidance in full, visit the Department of Health and Social Care website: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response  

Dr Howe said: “People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Advice about the virus is available on the Public Health Wales website phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus. 

“Symptoms include a high temperature, where you feel hot to touch on your chest or back, and a new, continuous cough.  This means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.  If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

“Anyone with a suspected coronavirus illness should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.  They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.

“Only call 999 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not call 999 just because you are on-hold to 111.  We appreciate that 111 lines are busy, but you will get through after a wait.

“The public play a very important role in slowing the spread of infection. By strictly following the latest measures, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable and help to reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.”

Numbers of confirmed cases by local health board

Health Board	New	Cumulative
	cases	cases
To be confirmed	2	4
Resident outside Wales	1	4
Aneurin Bevan	61	309
Betsi Cadwaladr	3	22
Cardiff and Vale	29	125
Cwm Taf	19	42
Hywel Dda	11	38
Powys	3	14
Swansea Bay	21	70
Wales	150	628

Hospice’s award-winning café offers new meals service

A hospice’s award winning café is going mobile with a new food delivery service after the effects of COVID-19 forced them to close their doors to the public.

The inspiration for the mobile enterprise Meals Matter came from Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice’s Head Chef Peter Jackson, who has cooked for both Her Majesty The Queen and the Emperor of Japan. He and his team run the award-winning Caffi Cwtch on Chester Road.

It was an idea the chef and his team were already exploring for patients and their families before the lockdown began and now they have adapted their plans since the Government ordered eateries to close but have allowed takeaway services to remain. 

The new delivery service is available to those living within Wrexham County Borough, and collection for all other customers.

The hospice has been looking at other ways to keep their finances afloat during this difficult time.   The majority of their running costs are met through fundraising and other channels of income generation that includes its on-site café, which makes a significant contribution towards maintaining services for those with life-limiting illnesses within palliative care.

Caffi Cwtch is well used by in-patients and Day Service patients during normal business, as well as a place for family and friends to gather. Its popularity as one of the top places to eat was recognised last year when it became the winner of The Welsh Café Awards 2019.

Nightingale House Hospice’s Head Chef Peter Jackson said: “Our kitchen remains operational in order for us to feed our in-patients. It seemed sensible to utilise it for an alternative way of providing good quality food at affordable prices like we would in a café setting but by becoming mobile.

“We have been working on the Meals Matter concept for some time to offer it to our patients and their families but in these difficult times we are offering this service to everyone.

“We talked about the idea and felt for those regulars who will no longer be able to pop in and see us, or for those who may benefit from a home delivery service of food they can either heat up or freeze. We thought about how we could strike a compromise and still bring in vital funds to keep the hospice running.”

100% of the proceeds will go to Nightingale House hospice.

Delivery of the meals is free with a minimum order of £5 (via card payments) but donations to the hospice would be greatly appreciated to help the hospice to bring in much-needed revenue at this difficult time.  The meals are also available for collection from Caffi Cwtch, Chester Road, Wrexham LL11 2SJ by prior arrangement.

Placing an order is easy, just choose your meal, call Meals Matter  on 01978 316800 and pay by card - Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm.

County’s caravan parks and campsites urged to follow government’s orders

Denbighshire County Council is calling on the owners of all caravan parks and campsites in the county to follow the directive of Wales’ First Minister and close with immediate effect, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

First Minister Mark Drakeford made the order on Monday evening after significant concerns were raised across the country over the weekend about the number of visitors and holidaymakers that had made their way to caravan parks, campsites and other accommodation, placing extreme added pressure on vital services.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “As you are aware, we are living in unprecedented times due to Coronavirus Covid-19. Clear guidelines have been issued by the Welsh and UK Governments that people should adhere to social-distancing, self-isolation and only undertake essential journeys.

“I fully appreciate the contribution of the tourism sector to Denbighshire, the economic contribution of over £500m in 2018 locally and the fact that you employ over 6,000 people, but we are in the midst of an world-wide emergency.

“Despite the advice from our Governments; the numbers of visitors to Denbighshire over the last few days has been extremely worrying and disappointing. I therefore urge you to close your park / campsite / accommodation immediately so that we can stop the spread of the virus, and limit the impact of visitors on our health and care services locally which are already under considerable pressure.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said:  “As was announced on Friday, 20 March 2020, arrangements to support the hospitality industry are in the process of being developed by our Governments and the Council is also prioritising the work of providing advice and support to businesses.

“In line with our Governments’ guidelines, I urge you to close immediately for the sake of all the people of Denbighshire and our health and care services - so that we can focus on the exceptional situation that we are facing and reduce the risk for all of us. By encouraging your customers to stay at their main home address, you will be helping to protect them, the people of Denbighshire as well as our vital health and care services.

“If you have already acted upon the national guidance to close your park / campsite / accommodation, we are extremely grateful to you for taking this responsible action.

“My sincerest thoughts are with you at this difficult and challenging time, and Denbighshire County Council will do its very best to support people."

The Welsh Government made the announcement that people camping or staying in caravans on holiday will be asked to begin returning to their homes from today as camps and holiday parks close, unless there are exceptional reasons for them remaining.

Denbighshire County Council will not ask residents to leave caravan parks if they live on site and have no alternative address. 

The Welsh Government expects all other people such as visitors, those on holiday and people with another home address to leave.

Pandemic local update - Thursday

The busy Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group announced on Facebook yesterday it has set up a GoFundMe page to bring in urgent funds to support its vital work helping people in the town cope with the current crisis.

Over £270 has already been pledged. It can be reached at: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/llangollen-covid-19-support-group?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0YENQ0t613PD60Z-zaJgDm4smL4MYntALgiX40fAtbCQHPTs-x4pJHEQE

The group is also sending out leaflets containing its latest lockdown advice and information across the town in the coming days.

This will include contact details for the various local outlets which are supplying meals for delivery to vulnerable people.

There is also a round-up of what the group has been doing to ease the effects of the crisis.

In her Facebook post group co-ordinator Cat Meade includes pictures of the leaflets to show people what is coming their way.  

She also details latest information from the Post Office at Stans on its revised opening times, which are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am - 5.30pm; Sat 9am -1pm; Weds, Sun – Closed.

* Above, meal contact details compiled by the help group. 

Below, useful information for the ongoing crisis.

Voluntary organisation Cadwyn Clwyd used Facebook to put out a message to community organisations providing support during current Covid-19 crisis.

This said: “Project funds available for organisations providing hands on and front-line community support services in rural Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.

“Cadwyn Clwyd has funds available to support community enterprises, charities, formal community groups and public sector organisations in rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire & Wrexham to enable them to adjust their frontline community support in the context of the current and ever changing Coronavirus outbreak.  Up to £3,000 is available to support eligible activities. 

“For more information, contact: Adam Bishop 01490 340505 Adam.bishop@cadwynclwyd.co.uk;

Donna Hughes 01490 340500 Donna.hughes@cadwynclwyd.co.uk.

Simon Baynes MP took to Facebook to send out a serious message to his Clwyd South constituents which said: "Following the Prime Minister's announcement that stricter measures will need to be taken to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, I want to urge my constituents in Clwyd South to follow the Government advice. We are responsible for our own safety and everyone else’s safety as well.

“When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the disease.

“The UK Government is: Telling people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes; closing non-essential shops and community spaces; stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public.

“Everyone needs to comply with these new measures. The police have been given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

“These measures are effective immediately. The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

“These measures are absolutely necessary because the more people that fall ill, then the harder it is for our NHS to cope, and therefore we must slow the spread of the disease so that fewer people are sick at any one time.

“To put it bluntly, if you go out unnecessarily, you risk lives, and the ability of the NHS to prevent deaths.

“The decision is in your hands, but as the Prime Minister said, our police forces have been empowered to disperse gatherings of more than two people; the police will issue fines to anyone who does not comply with these rules; and the police will close all shops that are not essential, as well as playgrounds and places of worship.

“Lives are at stake, and I urge you all to do the right thing and abide by them in order to control this pandemic."

Mr Baynes had earlier said on Facebook that he had taken the decision to cancel local advice  surgeries in the face of social distancing rules.

PIC

Llangollen Freecycle announced yesterday that it was temporarily closing down its Facebook page.

Bex, the lady who runs it, said: “Given the current circumstances I don't want to encourage travel and people mixing and swapping items so I have temporarily suspended the ability to post on this group.

“Everybody needs to stay home and look after themselves and each other. Thanks for the support so far and I look forward to when we can all contribute again.”

A post from the North Wales Police roads policing unit showed that not everyone was sticking to the current government rules.

It said: “Despite being asked to stay at home, we are still seeing people drive at high speeds on some of our roads – this includes motorcycles too. 

 

“Maybe it’s because there’s less traffic on the roads. Maybe it’s because some are still taking advantage of the good weather.

“There is no excuse. Enforcement will continue. We are still out there keeping an eye on the roads. Please heed the warning.

“The last thing we need is to deal with a road traffic collision. Our NHS colleagues are under extreme pressure. Don’t add to it.” #StayHomeSaveLives

* Over the past few days llanblogger has received requests from readers for advice and information about the crisis. These are being passed immediately to the help group.