First local lockdowns in the north of Wales in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Conwy

The Welsh Government has announced the first local lockdown in the north of Wales in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Conwy.

The new measures will come into force at 6pm on Thursday 1 October, to protect people’s health and control the spread of the virus in the four areas, the Welsh Government said.

The new restrictions will mean:

• People will not be allowed to enter or leave each of these areas without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education;
• People will only be able to meet people they don’t live with outdoors for the time being. They will not be able to form, or be in, extended households;

The restrictions will be in addition to the rules that apply everywhere in Wales, including:

• All licensed premises must stop selling alcohol at 10pm
• Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public areas – as is the case across Wales.

‘Not a national lockdown’

Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in coronavirus cases in four north Wales local authority areas – in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham and Conwy. These are largely linked to people socialising indoors and are the pattern of transmission similar to what we have seen in South Wales.

“We have worked closely with local authority leaders and the police in North Wales and we all agree about the need to take swift action to control and the spread of the virus.

“Large parts of Wales will now be subject to local restrictions but I want to be clear – this is not a national lockdown. These are a series of local restrictions to respond to rises in cases in individual areas.

“It’s always difficult to make the decision to impose restrictions but we hope that these measures will make a positive difference – just as we have seen in Caerphilly and Newport, where local residents have pulled together and followed the rules.

“It is important we all work together and support each other. This isn’t just about protecting ourselves, it’s about protecting each other.”

Prevent

The restrictions are being introduced following a rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in coronavirus, which have been linked to people meeting indoors, not following social distancing guidelines and returning from summer holidays overseas, the Welsh Government said,

The Welsh Government met with local authorities, health boards and police across the north of Wales today to discuss the situation across the region, and what measures could be taken to prevent the further spread of the virus and how to protect people’s health.

The local restrictions will not be introduced in Anglesey or Gwynedd at this stage, where cases are lower.

The new local restrictions will be kept under regular review. They will be enforced by local authorities and by the police.

Advice

Keep Wales safe by:

• Always keeping your distance
• Washing your hands regularly
• Working from home wherever you can
• Following any local restrictions
• Following the rules about meeting people
• Staying at home if you or anyone in your extended household has symptoms.