Today, Welsh Government announced a ‘fire break’ to slow down the spread of the virus.
This means a return to stronger restrictions for two weeks, starting from 6pm this Friday, October 23.
The break will include the half-term holiday and will end on Monday, November 9.
We all know the virus is spreading rapidly in every part of Wales – including Wrexham – and if we don’t act now, there’s a real chance the NHS could be overwhelmed.
This is really hard.
But if we work together, we can help keep Wales and Wrexham safe, save lives and hopefully avoid an even tougher lockdown in the future.
Read the coronavirus fire break FAQs on the Welsh Government website.
What do I need to do?
So from 6pm this Friday, everyone in Wales will need to stay at home.
This means you should:
- Work from home wherever possible. The only exceptions will be critical workers and jobs where it isn’t possible.
- Only leave home to exercise, or for essential purposes like shopping or medicine.
- Avoid any gatherings with people you don’t live with – either indoors or outdoors. Although if you live alone or you’re a single parent, you can link-up with one other household for support.
But the basic message is simple. Stay at home.
And please remember that the current local restrictions are still in place until 6pm on Friday.
What will close?
All across Wales, the following services and facilities will close:
- All non-essential retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses.
- Community centres, libraries and recycling centres.
- Places of worship will be closed, except for funerals, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.
We’ll provide you with more info about what this means for Wrexham later this week.
What will stay open?
The following things will stay open:
- Parks, cemeteries and playgrounds where possible.
- Childcare provision.
- Primary and special schools will re-open as normal after half-term.
- Secondary schools will re-open after half-term for years 7 and 8, and for pupils sitting exams. Although pupils in years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 will stay at home and use remote learning.
- Universities and colleges will stay open. Although students on reading weeks or half-term will need to stay in their university accommodation.
Again, we’ll provide you with more info later this week.
We need to come together
It’s been an incredibly tough year in so many ways.
The virus has affected our health, our jobs, and our ability to see and be with the people we love.
But by coming together once again, and making another huge effort in Wrexham and across Wales, we can save lives and protect the NHS…just like we did in the summer.
It won’t be easy, but we have no choice…and we if we stick together, we’ll get through it.
Take care and stay safe.
If you need support, you can call the Mental Health Helpline on 0800 132 737 or text 81066.
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