"IT'S crucial that we all do our bit in Wrexham" to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Wrexham Council's leader has said.

Cllr Mark Pritchard said we all need to follow the latest UK Government instructions on coronavirus "if we’re to have any chance of managing the spread of this virus, and preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed".

Cllr Pritchard's comments come amid news that WCBC, from Tuesday, will only be providing "critical services", including social services, advice on housing benefits, sheltered accommodation, schools (currently open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only), emptying bins, homelessness and other things that people depend on.

Cllr Pritchard said: "By staying apart, we’re all doing our bit. We’re working together to try and keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

"So let’s do the right thing. Stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

"We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services."

Markets and public toilets - a lot of stall holders in Ty Pawb, the Butcher’s Market and the General Market have already decided to suspend trading, and the government made it clear last night that all non-essential shops should close.

Public toilets managed by the council will also close from today.

Housing tenants/estate offices - all WCBC estate offices are now closed, including reception areas where kiosks and free phones were available.

If you have an urgent housing query, please contact its housing team on 01978 298993.

Emergency repairs - Please only call WCBC's housing repairs team if you have an emergency (01978 298993).

You can still report non-emergency repairs via My Council House or by emailing housingrepairs@wrexham.gov.uk

Recycling centres - WCBC says it knows that some other councils have taken the decision to close their household waste recycling centres.

"For the benefit of Wrexham residents", it's continuing to provide this service, but on a restricted basis.

From Thursday, March 26:

Bryn Lane (on Wrexham Industrial Estate) will be open every day (8am-8pm).

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Brymbo will be open (9am-6pm) and Plas Madoc will be closed.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Plas Madoc will be open (9am-6pm) and Brymbo will be closed.

There will be restricted access rules in place (only five users at any one time). This will be actively managed at all sites and all users will be expected to adhere to social distancing.

The Government is sending letters to people across the UK with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to coronavirus.

The letters will advise people to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.

If you receive one of these letters and you don’t have any friends, relatives or neighbours who can deliver food and medicine for you, or you can’t order your food online, the letter will tell you to contact WCBC using a phone number provided.

If you need to call WCBC, it says it's working hard with partners to put in place measures that will enable us to help you.