Latest coronavirus update from Welsh Government

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

• Businesses across Wales can now find out if they can apply for funding from the third phase of the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

• Economy Minister Ken Skates announced the new phase of the fund last week which will see an additional £140 million being made available to businesses.
• The eligibility checker will enable businesses to see if they can access the £80 million tranche of the fund which will support firms with projects that can help them transition to the economy of tomorrow. It will require co-investment from companies and a clear plan about how they will adjust to the post-covid economy.
• More information: https://gov.wales/economic-resilience-fund-find-out-if-your-business-eligible-support-third-phase
• Eligibility checker: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/erfphase3?_ga=2.21145278.420969385.1601908497-1590441122.1572622477

• Health Minister Vaughan Gething is urging everyone in Wales to help protect vital NHS services over the winter months by using the right service for their needs.

• Welsh health boards are reporting around 20% to 30% of people who present at emergency departments could be better treated elsewhere or in a different way.
• As part of the Protect the NHS campaign people are being asked to use the online symptom checker on the NHS 111 Wales website or call 111 for advice on where to go to get the right treatment.
• More information at: https://gov.wales/now-more-ever-we-need-people-think-carefully-about-where-seek-advice-avoid-extra-pressure-nhs

• Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan has published an update about the Welsh Government’s care homes action plan and an independent rapid review undertaken by Professor John Bolton https://gov.wales/written-statement-care-homes-action-plan-update

• Rapid review: https://gov.wales/rapid-review-care-homes-relation-covid-19

 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 752 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 27,624 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

• Sadly, there were three more deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 1,643.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about local restrictions in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly borough, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Llanelli, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham areas: https://gov.wales/local-lockdown  

• 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.

• From Monday October 5, these will be held at 12.15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.
• Dr Frank Atherton, Wales’ chief medical officer held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1313799645387055104

Major changes take place on Llangollen Railway board

Major changes have taken place on the board of Llangollen Railway, which is currently closed for the second time due to government coronavirus restrictions.

A press release issued by Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd in the name of director Bob Gordon says: "The Llangollen Railway regrets to announce the resignation of the chairman Liz McGuinness from the board of LRT (Llangollen Railway Trust) and LR (Llangollen Railway) plc.

"Her fellow elected directors Hugh Shipton and Quentin McGuinness and two co-opted members, Robin Matthews and Rhys Williams, have also resigned.

"The sole remaining elected director is Bob Gordon who is presently endeavouring to co-opt new directors for both boards to be in place within the next few days pending the forthcoming AGM.

"The resignations arise from major differences of opinion with the Board’s heritage policy as being applied to the Corwen project.

"Bob Gordon immediately set about reassuring the Corwen project team regarding support for completing the new station as planned with work to start on the building of the platform, waiting room and toilets.

"He said, 'The need is to get the station finished and ready to receive passengers during 2021 with appropriate shelter to hand on the platform. This aim is dependent on this winter’s weather and, of course, any continuing impact of Covid 19 on the volunteer workforce.'

"Supporting these comments, the Railway’s President, Bill Shakespeare MBE, said, 'I am full of admiration for the way in which the Corwen Project team have tackled the creation of the new station and feel they should be allowed to continue the completion of the project with the building of the waiting room.

"We need to overcome this current difficulty and continue the progress towards an opening through to Corwen as soon as resources allow.

"I have always thought that Llangollen Railway is a broad church and can accommodate all shades of opinion.”

Llangollen Railway spokesman George Jones said: "Co-opted members have now formed a new board which has had its first meeting. 

"The board members have experience and long-term commitment to Llangollen Railway."

Abbey Dingle Care Home to hold coffee morning for Macmillan

* Abbey Dingle residents Wynn Hughes and Esther Whittall with some of the raffle prizes.

Abbey Dingle Care Home in Llangollen is holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm.

Due to Covid restrictions they cannot invite anyone from outside the home to join them but you can take part by making a donation and staff will purchase a raffle ticket on your behalf.

Home owner Carol Mascarenhas said: "We have a lovely Christmas pamper hamper with prosecco, two Christmas wine glasses, pomegranate and fig toiletries, a Christmas box of Toffifee, a stag cushion and a red fleece throw, all in a decorated Christmas box.

"Families have donated prizes and we say a big thank you for this. We are very sorry they are unable to join us. Thank you for your support.

"All our residents are looking forward to having a lovely afternoon and supporting such a good cause. There will be home made cakes , a bric a brac stall and the raffle. Teas and coffees of course.

Stick to local restrictions says county council

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents to continue to follow local restrictions and to follow stringent hygiene and social distancing measures in the efforts to reduce the number of covid cases.

Last Thursday, local restrictions were introduced in Denbighshire, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham.  

The restrictions will mean that residents will not be able to travel out of the county in which they live without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education. 

People will only be able to meet people they do not live with outdoors for the time being. They will not be able to form, or be in, extended households  - sometimes called a “bubble”.

The council says residents should also remember about adhering to social distancing measures of two metres, ensuring they wear face marks to visit shops and to travel on public transport and follow stringent hygiene measures.

It is also reminding young people to continue to social distance. Last month the council launched a campaign to ask young people to #keepyourdistance and that campaign has been supported by organisations across North Wales.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We really need to carry on with our efforts to try and reduce the spread of coronavirus from escalating in our county. We firmly believe that the restrictions are completely necessary in the fight to halt the increase in the number of cases in our county.

“We fully recognise and understand that this will prove difficult for some residents and that they are making a sacrifice again, but compliance is essential and we really need to do this to try and protect our most vulnerable in our communities.

“We are working closely with our partners to try and keep the public health messages in the public eye and using local media, social media and websites to get the messages across.  It’s only Denbighshire residents that can make the sacrifices to protect Denbighshire communities." 

Residents are also asked to remember to stick to existing guidance, which includes:

• Staying at home if you have Coronavirus symptoms and request a test immediately.
• Working from home wherever you can.
• Avoiding car-sharing.
• Those over 11 must wear a face-mask in indoor public spaces and on public transport.
• Covering your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough.
• Keeping your hands clean.
• Hospitality businesses in Wales have to close by 10pm, with table service only, and off-licences and supermarkets having to stop selling alcohol from 10pm.

* Further information is available at: www.gov.wales

Traffic plan is "waste of money" claims opponents' spokesperson

Castle Street traders continue to be angry that plans to ban all "pop-and-shop" parking and deliveries unloading are to go ahead later this month.

That's the claim of former Chamber of  Tourism and Trade chairman David Davies acting as a spokesperson for those opposed the moves.

The plans approved by Denbighshire County Council (DCC) are part of a package of changes designed to allow for more active travel  - walking and cycling - and Covid-19 social distancing of two metres between people.

They will be applied using temporary traffic orders within weeks.

Mr Davies said: "The plans were put out to public consultation for only two weeks in July and attracted just 91 respondents.   

"According to DCC, this included 25 businesses in Castle Street who objected to the plan and 66 other responses from local residents and visitors of whom 59 were in favour of the plans.

"Census figures suggest around 4,000 people are in the Llangollen, Llantysilio and Berwyn area who could be described as local, out of which 91 responded to the survey - that's  2.3%. Of those 91 some 65% (59 persons) voted in favour.

"Continuing the maths -  those in favour of the plans were 65% of 2.3% which is only 1.5% of the total local population.     

"Thus 98.5% did not respond or objected, yet DCC still plans to go ahead with their scheme. How such a decision can therefore be promoted as a 'huge thumbs up' to the plan remains an unanswered question."

He added: "It seems unbelievable that DCC is misusing and wasting taxpayers' money closing Castle Street to pop-and-shoppers when they and government are trying to encourage buy local shopping.

"Traders are concerned that the plans, 'by coincidence,' are the same as one of the main objectives of the 2020 Group to permanently ban all parking in Castle Street.

"With a number of questions to DCC still outstanding and their refusal to respond, an objection has been lodged with DCC for the scrutiny panel to review the decision.

"This must take full account of the traders; objections, trading conditions, current footfall and the true level of response from the local population.   

"I am also calling on DCC to publish details of the planned footpath, cycle-way and road widths to meet social distancing and road traffic requirements."

Officers out policing latest lockdown measures

During the first weekend since local restrictions were imposed in the counties of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, patrols by North Wales Police continued.

Licensed premises were visited and officers undertook targeted vehicle stops across the four counties to ensure those who were travelling had legitimate reasons to do so.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison from North Wales Police said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of residents in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham for listening to Government advice by staying within their counties.

“Most are fully supportive of the restrictions and understand the importance of why they have been imposed.

“However, disappointingly we had cause to speak to some individuals who had ignored the restrictions and who had travelled into parts of north Wales that is under local lockdown. 

"This included officers having to disperse an off road event involving 4x4 vehicles in Llwyneinion Woods in Rhos, Wrexham on Sunday. The landowner has been reported for Covid 19 offences.

“People should not think of ways of circumventing the law, this is about making sure loved ones don’t die because of a few selfish actions, and the police should not be needed to reinforce common sense.

“The restrictions are necessary to fight Covid-19 and we all have a personal responsibility to comply to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this deadly virus.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working with our local authority partners to ensure that measures are in place to help communities and prevent the spread of COVID - 19. This will continue as we respond to the current situation.

“Teams continue to be out and about and will continue to engage with people, establish their individual circumstances and will continue to explain the risks and warn of the consequences of failing to comply with the guidance.

“The demand on North Wales Police has returned to pre-Covid level. As a result, it is essential that people comply with the restrictions to reduce the number of breaches which officers have to respond to. 

"We need people to recognise that wilfully flouting the guidance places unnecessary strain on already stretched resources, and ultimately endangers those people who may need the Emergency Services in their hour of need. 

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect the NHS, please use your common sense and help us together to save lives.”

* Further information regarding the restrictions are available via the Welsh Government’s website.

New name board is a sign of the good times for Corwen station project

Llangollen Railway's Corwen station project has received a new name board (pictured) on the eastern end of the platform.

The substantial piece of joinery was lifted into position by volunteers after it was delivered to the site.

Sponsored by rilway enthusiasts' group the Foxcote Manor Society the double-sided name board was constructed by Llangollen Railway member Graham Hoyland[

As a traditional form of station running-on board, it will announce to train passengers their arrival at Corwen and can now be seen as a prominent fixture on the platform, adding to the heritage features already in place.

It can be readily appreciated by walkers across Corwen Common and its erection was a big boost for the project volunteers.

Running-in boards are no longer a feature of stations on the national rail network having been superseded these days by on-train announcements. 

A similar board was unveiled in the Corwen town car park back in December 2011 as a statement of the railway’s intention to return to the adjacent embankment.

It has taken rather longer than originally envisaged, but that board remains in-situ as a local feature announcing to road users where they have arrived.