Earlier this week, Welsh Government announced a new set of rules that will come into force across Wales from December 28.
Under its new traffic light system, the whole of the country will go into ‘Alert Level 4’ – similar to the firebreak lockdown in the autumn.
So what exactly do you need to do from December 28, and what will change in Wrexham?
What do you need to do?
The basic message is simple: stay at home and limit the number of people you have contact with.
This means you should:
- Only mix with people in your own household / support bubble (you won’t be able to have an ‘extended’ household).
- Don’t meet up with other households. This applies to both indoors and outdoors.
- Only travel for essential purposes, such as work, health reasons or caring duties.
What will close in Wrexham?
The following facilities will be closed from December 28 (although many will close sooner due to the Christmas bank holidays):
- Non-essential retail premises / shops.
- The General Market.
- The Monday Market on Queens Square.
- Tŷ Pawb car park and building.
- Hospitality and entertainment venues.
- Visitor attractions, including Wrexham Museum.
- Libraries will remain closed except for order and collect.
- Leisure and fitness centres, including Wrexham Waterworld and other Freedom Leisure venues. Sports courts and golf courses will also close.
- Venues for wedding receptions and wakes.
The council will focus on providing critical services (e.g. highways maintenance). Some other services will be paused.
What will stay open?
The following things will stay open:
- Council-managed parks, country parks and playgrounds.
- Childcare provision.
- Places of worship.
- Wrexham Crematorium (with restrictions for attending services) and cemeteries.
- The register office at the Guildhall for wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, as well as births registrations.
- The Butchers Market will stay open for food retailers.
- Tŷ Pawb will stay open only for traders providing take-away services.
- Cafes at Plas Pentwyn and Llay Resource Centres will be open for take-away services.
- Outdoor work on council housing will continue, and we’ll also carry out indoor repairs for tenants if it’s an emergency.
- All three recycling centres at Bryn Lane, Brymbo and Plas Madoc are planning to remain open, but we’re awaiting final guidance from Welsh Government.
Christmas bubbles
From December 23 to 27 (just before the new rules come in on December 28), two households will be able to form a ‘Christmas bubble.’
It was going to be three households, but in Wales the number has now been reduced to two.
There’s always an increased risk of catching or spreading the virus whenever we come together…so please think carefully when making plans.
A smaller Christmas is a safer Christmas.
If you do decide to bubble-up with another household, follow these tips from Welsh Government:
- Avoid close contact as much as possible, use space wisely and spread out seating.
- Open windows or doors to ventilate rooms when it’s safe to do so.
- Wipe surfaces regularly and wash hands often – especially before eating.
- Don’t share things like utensils or towels.
Were you previous shielding? Or know someone who was?
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has provided special advice for people who were shielding about mixing over Christmas.
Read that advice on our website and watch this message from @CMOWales ????https://t.co/spRvRqfyhh pic.twitter.com/wv86hhfUvs
— Welsh Government (@WelshGovernment) December 17, 2020
Vaccines save lives
Vaccines have saved millions of lives, and helped combat many diseases – including polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus.
With the UK’s vaccination programme underway, we can look to 2021 with hope and optimism.
You can find the latest info about the Covid-19 vaccine on the Public Health Wales website.
???? Get the facts…read the latest NHS Wales Covid-19 vaccination info ????
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/”]GET THE FACTS[/button]
