This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Monday (6.4.20).
Key messages for today
- Please stay at home over the bank holiday weekend. Only go out for the essential purposes outlined by the Government.
- If you use any of our parks or footpaths, please use them responsibly. Don’t drive to them, and observe social distancing at all times.
- If you’re a critical worker with pre-school aged children, you can now apply for free childcare.
- We’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over Easter. Please park your cars carefully on the roadside, so our bin wagons can get past.
- Please don’t light bonfires to burn rubbish.
- Community sports clubs can now apply for emergency relief funding.
Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive
Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council
Stay at home this Easter…please don’t drive to our parks
As we approach the bank holiday weekend, one message stands out above everything else…
‘Stay at home.’
Most of us realise that by leaving our homes as little as possible, we’re helping to protect the NHS and save lives.
But there’s still a big concern across the UK that too many people are congregating in our parks and open spaces at the weekends.
The Government says you can leave home once-a-day to exercise…whether that means walking the dog, going for a run or whatever helps keep you active and healthy.
But it doesn’t mean getting in a car and driving to one of our parks. There’s no way anyone should be doing that, because the Government has made it clear that we should all ‘stay local’ when we exercise.
Last weekend, police officers reported a worrying increase in people driving to some of our parks in Wrexham.
Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen this weekend.
Please don’t drive to our parks.
Over the weekend officers have witnessed an increase in members of the public using vehicles to transport themselves to exercise or walk their dogs in local parks. This is a clear breach to guidlines. Please help us keep everyone safe #covid19 #wrexham @leaderlive @wrexham pic.twitter.com/NCgVfVbQCq
— NWP Wrexham Town (@NWPWrexhamTown) April 7, 2020
If you live within walking distance and want to exercise in one of our parks, you must follow the Government’s instructions on social distancing…
Stay at least two metres away from anyone you don’t live with.
By staying apart, we’re saving lives and helping to keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.
Free childcare for critical workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
If you’re a critical worker with pre-school aged children you can now apply for free childcare.
The scheme was announced by Welsh Government earlier this week and also applies to critical NHS volunteers.
However, children should always be cared for at home whenever possible and safe to do so.
Free childcare in Wrexham will normally be for pre-school aged children (up to five years old) of critical workers and critical NHS volunteers where:
- The parent’s critical role makes it impossible, at times, for them to care for children safely at home during the pandemic.
- The family lives in Wrexham County Borough.
- A placement has already been arranged between the parent and a registered childcare provider (childminder, playgroup, day nursery, school-based provision).
- No-one that the children live with is displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or is self-isolating due to the virus.
You can find more information and apply for free childcare on our website.
Please note this is a Welsh Government funded scheme. Eligibility, application processes and the rates paid for childcare may be different in other counties in Wales.
GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES
Waste and recycling
No change to bin collections over Easter
As in previous years, we’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.
So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday or Monday, we’ll empty your bin on Good Friday or Easter Monday…the bank holidays won’t affect anything.
Please park carefully – don’t stop our bin lorries getting through
At times, our wagons are struggling to get through to certain streets and properties, due to cars being parked on the roadside. This sometimes means we’re unable to empty people’s bins.
You can help us by taking extra care when parking your vehicles on your collection day.
We understand that not everyone has a drive or a garage, and many people rely on street parking.
But if you know your bins are going to be collected, please have a look at your street to check there’s enough room for our large vehicles to safely perform their duties.
Remember, our wagons are heavy and wide, so our drivers need to be certain that they can safely travel down a street and manoeuvre without causing any damage.
Help keep everyone safe when it comes your bins
When it comes to emptying your bins, we’re asking you to follow a few strict hygiene measures – including disinfecting the handles on your bins and other waste containers.
These simple steps will help keep you and our employees safe, and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Read the blog article we posted earlier this week.
Please don’t light bonfires
We’re supporting our colleagues in North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and asking you not to have any bonfires.
Read the blog article we posted earlier this week.
Emergency funding for community sports clubs
Community sports clubs in Wales can now apply for emergency relief funding.
Not-for-profit clubs are an important part of our communities, and the money could help them stay sustainable during the Covid-19 emergency.
The funding has been made available by Welsh Government and Sport Wales, and clubs can apply for a maximum of £5,000.
You can find out more on the Sport Wales website.
Look out for scams
During these difficult times, unscrupulous criminals are exploiting our fears about Covid-19 and preying on members of the public – particularly older and vulnerable people.
Our Trading Standards officers are supporting National Trading Standards as they warn people to remain vigilant.
Read the blog article we posted earlier this week.
Reminder – 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.
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 Government ministers).
- Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.
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.
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