I recently went out to visit Betws y coed and was stopped by the police. They advised me to turn around and go back home and to remain in my local area. If you need to go out for a walk or some fresh air please do so but only locally and do not travel unless is is necessary(see guidance below)
What do you mean by a “firebreak lockdown”?
A short, sharp firebreak has been introduced across Wales to help regain control of coronavirus. This means that a series of restrictive measures will be in place from 6pm Friday 23 October until 12:01am Monday 9 November 2020.
Why is this being done?
The fortnight-long action is needed to save lives and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.
Cases of coronavirus have been rising sharply in Wales as the virus has woken up for winter. While the national and local measures put in place across Wales have helped to keep that spread under check, there is a growing consensus that additional action is now needed.
Between October 9 and 15, there were 4,127 new confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded by Public Health Wales, based on positive test results but the real level of infections will be much higher. The number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus symptoms is growing daily and sadly so too are the number of people dying with coronavirus.
The R number is currently between 1.1 and 1.4, meaning continued exponential growth in the number of cases and the seven-day rolling incidence rate for Wales stands at more than 130 cases per 100,000 population.
What restrictions are in place?
There are 5 main things:
- people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes
- people must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with
- certain businesses and venues, including bars, restaurants and most shops must close
- secondary schools can provide learning online only for the week after half-term, other than for children in years seven and eight. Primary schools and childcare settings can remain open.
- face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open (subject to certain exemptions and exceptions), including on public transport and in taxis
If you break these new laws:
- You may be told to go home or removed from where you are and returned home.
- You could have to pay a fixed penalty notice of £60. This will rise to £120 for the second breach,
- Or you could have criminal proceedings brought against you, and if found guilty, you will have to pay a fine.
Even where something may be allowed, we ask you not to think about whether it is permitted but whether it is truly necessary and sensible. The purpose of this short lockdown is to create a concerted national effort to do everything we can to stop the spread of coronavirus, and every individual contribution to that counts.
How long will these measures stay in place?
These measures will be in place from 6pm Friday 23 October until the start of Monday 9 November 2020.
What will happen after Monday 9 November?
Following the end of the firebreak, a new set of national rules will be introduced, covering how people can meet and how the public sector and businesses operate.
My area was subject to local restrictions – do these still apply?
No – the firebreak lockdown applies in the same way across Wales.
Damian Plant says “In this please Stay Safe”
