This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (23.3.20).
Key messages for today
- Stay at home. Only leave your home for the very limited purposes outlined by the Prime Minister last night.
- If you receive a letter that requires you to self-isolate for 12 weeks because you have an underlying health condition, and you need our help, rest assured we’re working hard to put in place measures so we can help you.
- Our housing estate offices are closing.
- Our public toilets are closing (apart from those at Wrexham Bus Station).
Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive
Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council
Last night, the Prime Minister announced new measures to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
You can now only leave your home for the following, very limited purposes:
- Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
- One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
- Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
It’s crucial that we all do our bit in Wrexham.
We all need to follow these instructions if we’re to have any chance of managing the spread of this virus, and preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed.
By staying apart, we’re all doing our bit. We’re working together to try and keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.
So let’s do the right thing. Stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.
We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.
People with underlying health conditions
The Government is sending letters to people across the UK with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19.
The letters will advise people to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.
If you receive one of these letters and you don’t have any friends, relatives or neighbours who can deliver food and medicine for you, or you can’t order your food online, the letter will tell you to contact us using a phone number provided.
If you need to call us, rest assured that we’re working hard with partners to put in place measures that will enable us to help you.
Critical services only
From today, we’re only providing critical council services. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.
They include social services, advice on housing benefits, sheltered accommodation, schools (currently open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only), emptying bins, homelessness and other things that people depend on.
The virus will continue to impact on our workforce, but we’re making plans to ensure we can continue to deliver these services.
GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES
Markets and public toilets
A lot of stall holders in Ty Pawb, the Butcher’s Market and the General Market have already decided to suspend trading, and the Government made it clear last night that all non-essential shops should close.
Public toilets managed by the council will also close from today, apart from those at Wrexham Bus Station.
Housing tenants
Estate offices
All of our estate offices are now closed, including reception areas where kiosks and free phones were available.
If you have an URGENT housing query, please contact our housing team on 01978 298993.
Our housing teams are grateful for your continued support and co-operation in this difficult situation.
Emergency repairs
Please only call our housing repairs team if you have an emergency (01978 298993).
You can still report non-emergency repairs via My Council House or by emailing housingrepairs@wrexham.gov.uk
Recycling centres
We know that some other councils have taken the decision to close their household waste recycling centres.
For the benefit of Wrexham residents, we’re continuing to provide this service, but on a restricted basis.
From Thursday, March 26:
- Bryn Lane (on Wrexham Industrial Estate) will be open every day (8am-8pm).
- On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Brymbo will be open (9am-6pm) and Plas Madoc will be closed.
- On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Plas Madoc will be open (9am-6pm) and Brymbo will be closed.
There will be restricted access rules in place (only five users at any one time). This will be actively managed at all sites and all users will be expected to adhere to social distancing.
We will monitor use and operations continually, and make further changes as necessary.
Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19
Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:
- Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
- Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.
Can you help as a volunteer?
You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.
AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.
This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.
Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.
LATEST INFO ON COVID-19
