Fun fair cancelled due to Delta variant concerns

Jez Hemming, local democracy reporter

A council has cancelled a fun fair in an area affected by a Covid Delta variant spike, in order to limit spread of the infection.

Denbighshire council today announced an Incident Management Team (IMT) had issued an “Event Direction Notice” under coronavirus regulations to halt the fair at Ruthin’s Livestock Market.

On Monday the authority confirmed there were 25 “linked” cases of the virus, with 428 pupils in three secondary schools in Denbigh and Ruthin self-isolating as a result.

The linked cases are connected to a number of gatherings and cases are being identified in a number of settings and venues, including schools.

Some of the cases linked to the increase have already been identified as the Delta variant said the authority.

The infections came after a series of get togethers of young people, including parties, brought them into close proximity.

The latest twist comes on the eve of the fun fair, which was due to open from tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday.

The council took the decision following consultation with fun fair operators, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales.

Public health

IMT chair Nicola Stubbins said: “This decision was made purely on the current public health situation in Denbighshire and is to prevent any further spread of the Delta variant in Denbighshire.

“We have been working closely with the organisers of Ruthin fun fair and this decision in no way reflects on the organisation, its event planning or the safety of the event.

“As a Council we would like to thank the organisers of Ruthin fun fair for their co-operation during this time and we look forward to welcoming it back to the town when it is safe to do so.

“We understand this will be a disappointment to residents and we would like to thank them for their understanding at this time.”

The IMT includes representatives of Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Denbighshire council.

Anyone showing any symptoms of Covid is being asked to book a PCR test as soon as possible in an attempt to address the spread of the infection.

Denbighshire currently has the second highest weekly case rate in Wales at 56.4 per 100,000 people  and has the highest test positivity rate at 4.2% per 100,000 tests.