Region's employers and venues take precautions to protect people during coronavirus outbreak

Yesterday, Wales had recorded 19 positive cases and Cheshire's first case of the virus was confirmed in Warrington.

Guidance has told people that everyone has a crucial role to play in containing the spread of the virus by protecting themselves and others by taking such measures as washing hands with soap and water more often for a duration of at least 20 seconds.

And companies have introduced measures to keep people safe.

Staff at Cadbury's Chirk factory are undergoing health checks as a "precautionary measure".

A Cadbury spokesman said: "As concerns around the spread of the coronavirus continue to increase, it is our top priority to protect the health and safety of our employees, ensure business continuity and continue to serve our customers worldwide.

"As such, like many businesses, we are implementing some precautionary measures, including regularly checking the health of our employees at our key sites across Europe, including Chirk.

"We feel that this is the responsible thing to do and we will continue to monitor the situation and update our guidance and actions as required."

Yesterday, confirmed cases of the virus reached 19 on what was the biggest daily rise for cases in the UK.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has today announced four further Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Wales to 19.

“The process of identifying and contacting close contacts of the new cases is underway, and we are taking all appropriate actions to protect the public’s health.

“The Chief Medical Officer has confirmed that two of the new cases are residents in the Powys local authority area, one case is resident in the Caerphilly local authority area, and one case is resident in the Swansea local authority area.

“Three of the new cases had returned to Wales from Northern Italy. One of the new cases, a resident in Caerphilly local authority area, has no history of travel to a country where the virus is circulating, and is not known to have had contact with another confirmed case.

“The four new patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant.

“Public Health Wales has a responsibility to protect individuals tested and patients being treated for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). For this reason no further details regarding these individuals will be released.

Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.

Meanwhile, visitors from high-risk areas are being denied access to the Airbus facility in Broughton while staff and customers coming from listed areas, including China, Italy and South Korea, can enter Airbus sites but must be "health-checked".

A spokesman for the factory said: “Airbus continues to closely monitor the situation and any impact on its customers and the supply chain. In addition, Airbus has updated its travel recommendations to employees as well as its recommendations to people coming to Airbus sites.

“The updates are based on the WHO recommendations and adapted to reflect the global Airbus business environment. Health and safety remain our top priority.”

Airbus recommends that non-essential travel to certain regions where the virus is more active should be deferred and has issued guidelines to staff, customers and visitors regarding hygiene, ill health reporting, day-to-day interaction.

The factory has also put additional measures in place for staff returning from the above areas within 14 days and must stay and work from home until further notice.

The spokesman added: “Airbus assumes that the world economy and air traffic will grow in 2020 in line with prevailing independent forecasts, which assume no major disruptions, including from the coronavirus.

“Based on this, Airbus targets around 880 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2020. We are monitoring closely the potential impact of the coronavirus situation on our business. Discussions with our customers on delivery schedules are confidential.”

Companies with lots of employees are monitoring the situation and latest advice continually.

Joanna Swash, CEO of Moneypenny in Wrexham, said: "We are assessing the coronavirus situation constantly and following government guidelines. The health and safety of our employees is always our top priority and we are communicating openly with them about developments and our robust plans.

"We have the latest technology available to allow for flexible working for our employees and have also introduced a number of measures such as a holiday monitoring system to identify any potential risks."

But Iceland Foods, which has its headquarters in Deeside, has seen an increase in sales since the outbreak.

Richard Walker, Managing Director of Iceland Foods, said: "We are monitoring COVID-19 closely. We have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that our customers continue to have the food and other supplies they need.

"We are working extremely closely with our suppliers and our supply chains remain robust overall. Even where there are supply challenges, we are thoroughly experienced in sourcing alternatives to help meet customer demand.

"While coronavirus has increased the demand for certain products in the short-term, we are confident that any disruption will remain limited and that consumers will continue to be able to choose from a wide selection of frozen food, grocery, fresh and chilled products in our stores. Our next day online and same day home delivery services are available as normal.

"We have introduced a temporary cap on sales of certain products online including some anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, to ensure our customers have access to the products they need.

"We are working constructively with Government officials to ensure that we remain stocked and supply chains continue to function as normal."

A spokesperson for Toyota, who employ hundreds of people at their engine manufacturing factory in Deeside, said: "With regards to the current coronavirus situation, our first priority is the safety of our employees and their families and we are following Government guidelines in each region or country for hygiene best practice, travel restrictions to the affected areas and eventual measures to take should one of our employees be affected.

"Toyota Motor Europe has asked its employees and those of its European affiliates (manufacturing, sales and logistics companies) to limit non-business critical travel to all countries or regions and to defer travel to certain countries or regions following advice from relevant authorities such as WHO or national authorities.

"We have also asked employees to avoid large gatherings and events and deprioritise attendance at conferences and other non-essential meetings.

"We have established daily and weekly meetings at various levels, up to regional and local top management, to monitor the situation and make the appropriate decisions related to health and safety risk management, employee information, travel guidelines, and supply chain monitoring."

HMP Berwyn in Wrexham has 'robust' measures in place.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have robust contingency plans in place based on the latest advice from Public Health England.

“Basic hygiene is a key part of tackling Coronavirus. Handwashing facilities are available in all prisons and we have worked closely with suppliers to ensure adequate supply of soap and cleaning materials.

“We have the ability to deploy staff flexibly and will prioritise the safety of officers, prisoners and visitors while ensuring minimal possible disruption to normal regimes.”

Although no events have been cancelled at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses, the situation is being continually assessed.

A spokesperson said: “Chester Race Company would like to assure members of the public that the safety and wellbeing of visitors to both Chester and Bangor on Dee racecourses is of utmost importance.

"Following the outbreak and ongoing development of Covid-19, we are strictly following guidance issued by the UK Government and NHS to ensure we follow all necessary procedures to protect our employees and visitors.

"We all have a duty of care to ensure we collectively prevent the spread of the virus and in addition to closely monitoring the situation, we are adapting our plans, policies and procedures to remain vigilant."

Other businesses have made decisions in light of concerns.

Tattoo studio Inked Up, on Eastgate Row, in Chester, are being flexible if people need to postpone appointments.

The shop said: “Here at Inked Up Chester we want you to know that your well-being is at the core of what we do. If you’re sick or aren’t feeling 100% we will happily re-arrange your appointments and keep your deposits safe.

“We’d always rather that you look after yourselves first and foremost. Take care!”

In sport, some football matches in Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire will not be played - but only non-competitive matches, such as under 11s Mini Football, and friendlies.

Dave Fawkes, General Secretary of NEWFA, said league and cup fixtures would be played as scheduled.

Councils in North Wales are constantly monitoring the situation and latest guidance.

Wrexham and Flintshire Councils have said the six councils across North Wales – which include Wrexham and Flintshire - are working closely with Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the emergency services to ensure that "appropriate and proportionate arrangements are in place to respond to this rapidly developing situation."

A spokesman for both councils said: “As councils, our role is to support health and emergency services in line with the long-standing multi-agency arrangements we have in place, and to follow the guidance we receive from Public Health Wales.

“We would urge anyone who has any queries about the virus to visit the Public Health Wales website – phw.nhs.wales - for the latest advice.”

The latest advice from Public Health Wales is for people worried about symptoms to seek advice online or by phone.

A spokesman said: “We are implementing our planned response and are working closely with partner agencies including Public Health Wales, North Wales Police, and local authorities to protect the health of the population of North Wales as much as possible.

“We have set up a COVID-19 emergency control centre managed by senior Health Board staff who are coordinating our response to the developing situation. To date, the majority of testing has taken place in people’s homes, and we have recently set up three drive-through units to help meet an anticipated increase in demand for testing over the coming weeks.

“Whilst there are currently no confirmed cases of patients with Coronavirus in North Wales, we expect this to change in the coming days.

“The current advice is for the public not to visit healthcare settings if they are worried about symptoms. If you have symptoms, use the online NHS Direct symptom checker at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk before deciding whether to dial 111 for further advice and assessment.”