TODAY will see a ‘short, sharp shock’ to the coronavirus come in the form of Welsh Government’s fire-break lockdown – lasting two weeks.

Cases of coronavirus have been rising sharply in Wales as the virus has woken up for winter, a Welsh Government spokesman said.

Whilst the national and local measures put in place across Wales have helped keep that spread under check, there is a growing consensus that additional action is now needed.

New restrictive measures will therefore be introduced across Wales to help regain control of coronavirus. Rules will become enforceable from 6pm this evening, October 23, until midnight on Monday, November 9.

Following the end of the fire-break, a new set of national rules will be introduced.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council said: “We’ve all been shocked at the rapid rise in figures of those testing positive and sadly dying of Coronavirus in recent weeks. It was with this in mind that we went into local lockdown and are now preparing to enter a two-week fire-break.

“It won’t be easy and it will be particularly hard for those in the retail sector who have had a really difficult time since March.

“But we do encourage everyone in Wrexham to stick to the regulations and to continue to socially distance, pay attention to hand hygiene and not to make any unnecessary journeys. If we all stay local and stay safe we will be helping to protect the health and well-being of our families and our communities.”

Speaking at a Flintshire Council meeting earlier this week, FCC chief executive officer Colin Everett said: “Our simple advice is, if something needs to close – or partially close – it will. If it is silent, that means the service will remain open.

“All of our services will continue where they can with good planning. We are confident nothing will be disrupted where we are allowed to run it over the next couple of weeks.

“We do appeal for everyone’s cooperation. If we all make sacrifices then we can all make a difference at a difficult time.”

Welsh Government say that there are five main things everyone must be aware of…

• 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 must close

• Secondary schools will provide learning online only for the week after half-term, other than for children in years seven and eight. Primary schools and childcare settings will 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

During this time, adults living alone or single parents will be able to join with one other household for support.

Amongst changes to education, sixth form and colleges will shift to remote learning during the ‘fire-break’ and universities will provide a blend of in-person and online learning.

It was confirmed that NHS and health services will continue to operate as normal.

No gatherings will be allowed outdoors during the ‘fire-break’ - including Halloween, Bonfire Night or other organised activities with the exception of pre-planned services for Remembrance Sunday which will be much smaller than usual.

The Welsh Government has provided a list of what venues must close their doors completely during the ‘fire-break’ period:

1. Any business selling goods or services for sale or hire in a shop, including homeware stores, nail and beauty salons, establishments providing tanning services, massage services, body piercings, tattooing, electrolysis or acupuncture, auction houses, car dealerships, markets, betting shops, hair salons and barbers, garden centres and plant nurseries.

2. Shopping centres and shopping arcades.

3. Cinemas.

4. Theatres.

5. Nightclubs, discotheques, dance halls or other venues where live or recorded music is provided for members of the public or members of the venue to dance.

6. Sexual entertainment venues (within the meaning given by paragraph 2A of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982(1)).

7. Bingo halls.

8. Concert halls.

9. Casinos.

10. Skating rinks.

11. Swimming pools.

12. Leisure centres and leisure facilities including indoor fitness studios, gyms and spas.

13. Sports courts, skate parks, bowling greens, golf courses and enclosed sports grounds or pitches (whether outdoors or indoors).

14. Bowling alleys, amusement arcades and indoor play areas.

15. Museums, galleries and archive services.

16. Funfairs, amusements parks and theme parks.

17. Visitor attractions and holiday, leisure activity or events businesses.

18. Recycling centres.

19. Libraries.

20. Estate or letting agents, developer sales offices and show homes.

21. Venues for events or conferences (including venues for weddings other than places of worship and registry offices)