First Minister gives update on easing of coronavirus rules

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has given his latest update on the easing of coronavirus restrictions at a press conference this lunchtime.

Main points are:

• From tomorrow Saturday, March 13, the existing 'stay at home' message will be replaced by a 'stay local' rule
• Also from Saturday up to four people from a maximum of two households will be able to socialise together outdoors, including in gardens
• Outdoor sports facilities such as basketball and tennis courts and golf courses can also open again from Saturday
• Care home visits will be able to resume from Saturday, March 13, on the basis of a single designated visitor
• From Monday, March 15, all primary school pupils will return to face-to-face teaching, as will exam-year students in secondary schools. Wholesale school re-opening will not take place until after the Easter break
• Hairdressers and barbers can re-open for appointments from Monday, March 15
• Non-essential retail will begin to re-open on a gradual basis from Monday, March 22. At that stage shops such as supermarkets, which are currently entitled to remain open, will see restrictions on what they can sell removed while garden centres can re-open from that date
• On March 27, the 'stay local' message ends and people will be allowed to travel anywhere in Wales. Self-contained holiday accommodation will be allowed to open in time for the Easter holidays
• All shops, including close contact services, will be able to re-open from April 12
• The next three-week review takes place on April 2.
• In the conference Mr Drakeford said: “Thanks to the fantastic efforts everyone has made, we can make some changes to the current restrictions, which will be phased in over the coming weeks.

  “The number of cases of coronavirus continues to fall overall; the pressure on our NHS is easing and our vaccine programme continues to go from strength to strength.

  “But the very clear advice we have is that the virus has not gone away – the highly infectious Kent variant is the dominant strain in Wales and as soon as we start to mix again, the virus will come too.

  “With every step we take to return to a more normal life, we are responsible for what happens next. While we will welcome more freedom to move around locally and meet with family and friends, we cannot afford to let down our guard.”

  From Saturday 13 March:

  • No more than four people from two households will be able to meet in their local area outdoors, including in gardens. Children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit. There must be no indoors mixing and social distancing should be followed.
  • Outdoor sports facilities can reopen, including tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens. A maximum of four people from two households can take part in activities using local sports facilities.
  • Indoor care home visits can resume for one designated visitor, with the permission of the care home.

  From Monday 15 March:

  • All primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return. Schools will have the flexibility to bring in year 10 and 12 pupils, to support them to progress to the next stage of their learning, and more learners will return to colleges. There will also be flexibility for in-school check-ins for all other pupils. All learners will return after the Easter break.
  • Hairdressers and barbers can reopen by appointment only to cut hair.

  From Monday 22 March:

  • The first steps to re-open non-essential retail will begin. Restrictions on the sale of non-essential items will be lifted for those shops, which are currently open.
  • Garden centres will also reopen.

  An additional £150m will be available to support businesses to the end of March, which are not yet able to open.  

  The extra funding will see businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates qualify for an additional payment of up to £5,000.  

  During the third week of the review period, we will take stock of the latest evidence before confirming changes for the Easter holidays. If the public health conditions continue to be favourable, from 27 March:

  • The stay local restrictions will be lifted to allow people to travel within Wales.
  • Self-contained holiday accommodation will re-open for one household.
  • Organised children’s activities outdoors will restart.
  • Libraries will reopen.

  The review on 1^st April will consider whether all remaining shops and close contact services can reopen on the 12^th April. This is in line with planned re-opening in England.

  First Minister Mark Drakeford added:

  “We need everyone’s help as we start to unlock these restrictions. We all need to follow the rules, maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and to  wear face coverings in indoor public places.

  “We all want to see Wales re-open and the return of a more normal life. This is within sight – but only if we can keep the virus under control. No one wants us to have to reintroduce strict restrictions, to retreat from the progress we have made. Only by working together, can we help keep Wales safe.”

  The changes follow the regular statutory review of the coronavirus regulations by Welsh Ministers, using the latest scientific and medical evidence from the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Cell (TAC) and the advice from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.

  First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

  “Thanks to the fantastic efforts everyone has made, we can make some changes to the current restrictions, which will be phased in over the coming weeks.

  “The number of cases of coronavirus continues to fall overall; the pressure on our NHS is easing and our vaccine programme continues to go from strength to strength.

  “But the very clear advice we have is that the virus has not gone away – the highly infectious Kent variant is the dominant strain in Wales and as soon as we start to mix again, the virus will come too.

  “With every step we take to return to a more normal life, we are responsible for what happens next. While we will welcome more freedom to move around locally and meet with family and friends, we cannot afford to let down our guard.”

  From Saturday 13 March:

  • No more than four people from two households will be able to meet in their local area outdoors, including in gardens. Children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit. There must be no indoors mixing and social distancing should be followed.
  • Outdoor sports facilities can reopen, including tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens. A maximum of four people from two households can take part in activities using local sports facilities.
  • Indoor care home visits can resume for one designated visitor, with the permission of the care home.

  From Monday 15 March:

  • All primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return. Schools will have the flexibility to bring in year 10 and 12 pupils, to support them to progress to the next stage of their learning, and more learners will return to colleges. There will also be flexibility for in-school check-ins for all other pupils. All learners will return after the Easter break.
  • Hairdressers and barbers can reopen by appointment only to cut hair.

  From Monday 22 March:

  • The first steps to re-open non-essential retail will begin. Restrictions on the sale of non-essential items will be lifted for those shops, which are currently open.
  • Garden centres will also reopen.

  An additional £150m will be available to support businesses to the end of March, which are not yet able to open.  

  The extra funding will see businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates qualify for an additional payment of up to £5,000.  

  During the third week of the review period, we will take stock of the latest evidence before confirming changes for the Easter holidays. If the public health conditions continue to be favourable, from 27 March:

  • The stay local restrictions will be lifted to allow people to travel within Wales.
  • Self-contained holiday accommodation will re-open for one household.
  • Organised children’s activities outdoors will restart.
  • Libraries will reopen.

  The review on 1^st April will consider whether all remaining shops and close contact services can reopen on the 12^th April. This is in line with planned re-opening in England.

  First Minister Mark Drakeford added:

  “We need everyone’s help as we start to unlock these restrictions. We all need to follow the rules, maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and to  wear face coverings in indoor public places.

  “We all want to see Wales re-open and the return of a more normal life. This is within sight – but only if we can keep the virus under control. No one wants us to have to reintroduce strict restrictions, to retreat from the progress we have made. Only by working together, can we help keep Wales safe.”

  The changes follow the regular statutory review of the coronavirus regulations by Welsh Ministers, using the latest scientific and medical evidence from the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Cell (TAC) and the advice from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.

Changes to Arriva buses timings announced

One of Llangollen's county councillors has been informed by Arriva buses that its local services will be returning to their usual timings from next week.

Graham Timms has been sent the following message ...

"You will recall that the virus hit Arriva Wrexham very hard. 

"The position at Wrexham garage is sufficiently improved such that from next week weekday buses will revert to half-hourly and Sundays to every 40 minutes, compared to emergency timetables of hourly every day.”

* Details of services will be posted on www.traveline.cymru

Residents urged to report illegal tobacco crimes

Residents across Wales who think someone is selling illegal tobacco can now report it anonymously, thanks to a new campaign. 

Trading Standards Wales has joined forces with the charity Crimestoppers to provide a service which enables members of the public to anonymously provide valuable information to help keep communities safe and healthy. 

It is one of five issues that Trading Standards Wales and Crimestoppers are working together on, to encourage members of the public to provide information on concerns they might have, 100% anonymously.  If you have information on any of the following, you can tell us what you know: 

1. Doorstep crime
2. Sale of age-restricted products
3. Counterfeit goods
4. Rogue trading 

Helen Picton, Chair of Trading Standards Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Crimestoppers and giving members of the public a way to report these crimes anonymously. 

“Illegal tobacco is causing harm to communities across Wales, and the sale of it supports organised crime and keeps money away from vital services. It also encourages smokers to continue smoking and encourages children to try smoking. 

“If you think someone is selling illegal tobacco, you can help stop the harm it’s causing by reporting it to Crimestoppers. Your information can help keep communities across Wales safe and healthy.” 

* If you think that someone is selling illegal tobacco call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit http://crimestoppers-uk.org and tell them what you know.

Positive report for library service in Denbighshire

Denbighshire Library service has been praised for its performance.

The Welsh Government has praised the service in the Welsh Public Library Standards assessment report for 2019/20 saying it has a ‘strong commitment to health and wellbeing’ while its ‘intention to focus on the development of staff should enable Denbighshire libraries to remain at the heart of their communities and continue to deliver services effectively’.

Covering the period before the coronavirus pandemic, it found the service met all 12 core entitlements, including being free to join and open to all, providing free access to resources, facilities and services, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, as well as achieving seven of the nine quality indicator targets in full.

These included support for individual development, support for health and well-being, location of service points, Welsh language resources, online access, supply of requests and opening hours per capita.

The service was the best performing in Wales for the number of Welsh books borrowed per capita, and was ranked fifth for the number of active borrowers and for the number of virtual visits per capita.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I would like to congratulate our library service and the staff for this fantastic assessment report.

“Libraries are vital to the well-being of our communities and the library service here in Denbighshire provides excellent service to our residents.

“This report covers the period before the pandemic, but I would also like to congratulate the service for continuing to support the community by offering a wide range of services throughout the last 12 months under very difficult circumstances.”

During the last year the service has introduced an order and collect service and expanded its digital offer for downloadable books, newspapers and magazines which was strengthened by a £250,000 investment from Welsh Government to increase the range of stock across Wales to meet increasing demand.

The Bookstart team switched its service to online immediately in mid-March 2020 and has delivered to date 33 weekly live rhymetime sessions, 30 weekly YouTube videos and 12 Siarad Babi videos to support parents.

Library staff have been making calls to local residents to check on their welfares and explain about the range of service and support available locally.

Two projects funded by Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund will see library staff undergoing training in delivering virtual activities and the development of private spaces for solo digital meetings in libraries.

The report will be discussed by the Council’s Performance Scrutiny Committee on March 18.

* Further information is available at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

Viaduct closure causes traffic congestion

* The traffic build-up along Regent Street (A5) around 8.15a.m.

Llangollen has experienced major traffic congestion this morning due to the closure of a section of the A5 near Chirk.  

Traffic Wales North & Mid recently tweeted: "River Ceiriog viaduct closed in both directions due to high winds, diversion in place."

Considerable traffic built up through Llangollen.

But at 8.15 Traffic Wales tweeted: "River Ceiriog Viaduct now open."

Railway's vital bridge facelift goes on despite financial crisis

* Volunteers work on the Dee Bridge. Picture: Paul Reynolds.

Despite the financial crisis currently facing its public limited company, volunteers from Llangollen Railway last week got to grips with rerailing the Dee Bridge after the 18 new timbers were put in place.

To run trains over the Victorian bridge the railway has had to replace its worn-out timbers. 

New woodwork cost £15,000 and an appeal was launched last November by Llangollen Railway Trust to raise the required funds.

The appeal has proven a major success with members of the public and the trust together raising the entire amount.

All the rail has now been replaced on the timbers. 

Rails at the west and east ends have been fixed in place with the chairs drilled and screwed down with rail keys added. 

The rest of the fixing is subject to adjustment - level and gauging and completing the tie rods. A couple of joints will receive rail welds to help smooth the trip over the bridge.

As revealed by llanblogger, the board of Llangollen Railway PLC recently asked its bank to call in receivers after it plunged into insolvency to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

With all operations on the railways now suspended, further work to complete the bridge in readiness for resumption of trains must await the administrator's permission.

Position of one-way street sign is criticised

* Above and below: the new one-way sign.

The positioning of a new one-way sign in Llangollen town centre has come under attack.

The criticism comes from Stuart Davies, a town councillor, after the sign was erected at the corner of Castle Street and Market Street.

He said: “I make no apologies for this rant. What on earth is going on?

“The dropped kerbs at the point where the sign has been erected are for wheelchair users to cross the road.

“How an earth is a wheelchair user going to access that drop kerb from the Castle Street side?”

He added: “We also need to ask the question, if the temporary order of which this is allegedly part is to partly promote ‘social distancing’ how does this work?

“I have asked what the county council’s head of service for public protection thinks of this. I have emailed him and the head of service for highways.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The posts carry signage required to give legal effect to the temporary one way restriction on Market Street.

“The position is due to the presence of underground services and the post was positioned to allow as much clear footway width as possible and

complies with guidance provided in the Traffic Signs Manual.

“Every possible consideration was given to an alternative location before settling on the current location.”