Pubs in Caerphilly County Borough will be forced to close at 11pm in a slight change to the coronavirus restrictions currently in place.

Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced the change at the same time as confirming that Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport will join Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly County Borough in local lockdowns.

The new restrictions will come into effect from 6pm tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22.

He said: “It’s always a difficult decision to introduce restrictions but coronavirus has not gone away – it is still circulating in communities across Wales and, as we are seeing in parts of South Wales, small clusters can quickly cause real issues in local communities.

“We need everyone’s help to bring coronavirus under control. We need everyone to pull together and to follow the measures which are there to protect you and your loved ones.”

“Cautious note of optimism” – Caerphilly praised for its actions

Speaking at a Welsh Government press briefing on Monday, September 21, Mr Gething said the change in Caerphilly’s restrictions came after a request from other public bodies. It also means the restrictions are now in line with the other places in local lockdown.

Mr Gething also praised the people of Caerphilly County Borough for sticking to the new restrictions.

He said: “We have seen a dip in cases in Caerphilly. That’s important because it does show what we said at the outset – that it would take about two weeks for the restrictions to start to have an effect.

“It’s a cautious note of optimism, but it does show that it’s possible to see improvements if people follow the rules, as they have done in Caerphilly.

“I am very grateful to the leader of the council Philipa Marsden, and the residents of Caerphilly who have been following the rules and really helping to improve the situation.”

What are the restrictions in Caerphilly?

• People are not be allowed to enter or leave the county borough without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work, education, or care commitments.
• People will only be able to meet people they don’t live with outdoors for the time being. They will not be able to form, or be in, extended households;
• All licensed premises will have to close at 11pm;
• Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public areas – as is the case across Wales.

Caerphilly County Borough became the first area in Wales to have local restrictions placed on it on September 8. RCT then followed on September 17.