Residents told to ‘take action now’ to help stop spread of coronavirus

PEOPLE living in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) and Merthyr Tydfil have been asked to take extra precautions in a bid to avoid a future lockdown.

In a joint statement issued last week, RCT Council and Merthyr Tydfil Council called on people to “take action now” so that infection rates can drop in the area.

There has been an increasing number of Covid cases in both local authorities, and latest figures show that hospital admissions in the region are also rising.

The voluntary actions requested from residents, which are recommended with immediate effect, include:

Only using public transport for essential purposes, which includes travel to education, work, essential medical appointments, shopping and visiting supermarkets;

Working from home for the next few weeks if you are able to do so. Actively seek the support of all employers to ensure that those that can work from home do so;

Wearing three layer face coverings or masks, where it is safe to do so, whilst in work, in supermarkets and other indoor or crowded public spaces (recommended for age 12 and over); and

Not visiting care homes, unless it is an end-of-life visit where full PPE will be required.

Both councils have made clear that schools will remain open and home to school transport will continue to operate in accordance with the latest Public Health Wales guidance.

Andrew Morgan, leader of RCT Council, said: “We all have a responsibility to break the chain of transmission of the virus.

“By all taking these important ‘voluntary’ actions as residents, it is hoped we can collectively reduce the spread of the virus currently taking place locally and in doing so avoid the need for a local ‘lockdown’, which has been required in a neighbouring local authority this week.

“We will alongside Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, continue to monitor the number of positive cases and will consider further action if the position does not improve and the number of positive Covid 19 cases continue to increase. We currently believe that these important actions by all residents will make a positive difference and will reduce the increases in positive cases currently taking place.

“A lockdown isn’t inevitable if we take these proactive steps now and ensure we all following public health guidance and social distancing. We still have the ability, through our individual actions to prevent formal restrictions becoming necessary.”

He added: “It is important for me to stress that as we keep this position under constant review, circumstances may change at very short notice, and one such change could be the requirement for a formal lockdown. This is something I would personally like to avoid, if we possibly can, but the health of residents and reducing the spread of the virus must continue to be our main priority.

“I hope we will all play our collective part once again to stem the spread of this virus currently taking place, by following the important advice we are provided from today.”

Similarly, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and the two local authorities are recommending for residents and family members in households who were previously part of the NHS shielding scheme to ask their employers if it is practical to work from home.

Residents are also urged to assess the risks associated with their day to day life and avoid, where possible, crowded public places, particularly indoor public spaces. This advice does not mean the NHS shielding scheme, at this time, is restarting.

Kevin O’Neil, leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council said: “I cannot stress enough the importance of residents adhering to Welsh Government and Public Health guidance to stop the spread of this virus across our communities.

“As a local authority, together with our partners, we must continue to remind residents and businesses of how they can mitigate the risk of increased infection rates.”