This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (20.3.20).
Key messages for today:
- From tomorrow, we’ll only be providing critical services. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.
- If you’re not a key worker as defined by the Government, please don’t put pressure on schools to take your children.
- Follow the Government’s advice on social distancing.
- We’re closing our parks and play areas.
- We’re limiting services at the crematorium to 30 attendees.
Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive
Councillor Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council
Asking people to stay apart and stay at home is a big ask. The Government recognises that.
However, there were parts of North Wales that seemed busier than ever at the weekend, as people headed to popular tourism spots and holiday parks.
This kind of behaviour is putting lives at risk.
‘Social distancing’ is crucial if we want to have any chance of managing the spread of this virus, and preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed.
- Info -
It basically means reducing the amount of contact we have with others – staying away from busy places, groups of people and even friends and family – so the virus has less chance to spread.
By staying apart, we can all work together to try and keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.
We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.
Critical services only
From tomorrow, we’ll only be providing critical 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 and other things that people depend on.
We’ll provide you with more information shortly.
View our list of critical services
Schools
School closures
Schools in Wrexham have taken on a new role from today – providing places for the children of ‘key workers’ so they can keep doing their jobs.
Schools are operating with reduced staff due to the impact of the virus, and this is a big challenge.
However, some people are trying to take advantage of this, and putting head teachers under huge pressure to take their children, when they don’t meet the criteria for key workers.
If you’re not a key worker as defined by the Government (e.g. health and care workers, emergency services officers, supermarket delivery drivers, prison officers), you cannot send your child to school at the moment.
School transport
Transport arrangements for children still accessing school (i.e. children of key workers and vulnerable children) will be available as normal this week.
If we need to make any changes, parents and carers will by notified by their school.
GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES
Parks and play areas
From today, we’re shutting our enclosed country parks and council-managed play areas.
This includes Ty Mawr and Alyn Waters, and notices will be put up to help inform people of the closures.
Just like other councils across the UK, we’re doing this to support social distancing.
Crematorium services
We’re also introducing measures at Pentrebychan Crematorium to encourage social distancing.
For hereon, services will be limited to 30 attendees.
Beware of Covid-19 scams
Trading Standards teams across the UK are continuing to get reports of scams that take advantage of the current situation.
So if you receive an offer of help, ask yourself if it feels genuine before you accept.
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
