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No business support currently planned during local lockdown
8.55pm
The Welsh Government has confirmed there is no plan in place to provide additional support to businesses impacted by the local lockdown.
While none have been told to close under the new measure, many businesses face a substantial drop in income as visits from outside of the county will be prohibited from 6pm on Tuesday, September 8.
Accommodation providers and businesses reliant on tourism are expected to be hit especially hard.
UK Health Secretary pledges support
5pm
UK Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he has been in contact with Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething and said he would support Welsh Government in its efforts to combat the increase of coronavirus in Caerphilly.
Mr Hancock made the comments in response to a question posed to him by Wayne David, the MP for Caerphilly.
Mr Hancock also appealed to residents to follow the new guidance set out by Welsh Government.
Pupils can still attend school or college
4.50pm
Pupils attending schools or colleges outside Caerphilly County Borough will still be able to attend, providing they are not showing symptoms of coronavirus or have been asked to self-isolate.
Pupils who live outside Caerphilly County Borough but attend a school or college in the borough will also be able to continue attending.
The rules surrounding face masks in schools have not changed.
Update on shared parenting
4.45pm
Welsh Government has confirmed that children whose parents live in different households will be able to travel between those households, regardless of whether it is in Caerphilly County Borough or not.
Gwent Police chief constable comments on lockdown
4pm
Gwent Police chief constable Pam Kelly said: “Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working with our local authority partners to ensure that measures are in place to help communities and prevent the spread of Covid-19. This will continue as we respond to the current situation.
“Our officers will be out in the community, engaging and encouraging everyone to follow social distancing and the new restrictions coming into play.
“Today we will be working to understand the new guidance and regulations and what enforcement action we can take for the few who do not comply with the new restrictions.”
Chief Constable Kelly added: “Now more than ever we need to act as a community and follow the new measures. By working together we can hopefully reverse the increase in numbers over the next few weeks so we are asking everyone to play their part.”
Can grandparents provide childcare?
3.25pm
Welsh Government has confirmed that grandparents can provide childcare, but only when no other alternatives are available.
A statement said: “Adults should not go inside any households other than their own.
“Where children are being cared for in households other than their own it will be important to ensure they are regularly washing their hands and that wider guidance on managing the virus is followed.
“Children should not be cared for outside of their home if they are ill, or by anyone who is ill.”
“People need to use their best judgement”
2.55pm
Caerphilly’s Senedd Member Hefin David said people needed to use their best judgement when interpreting the local restrictions.
He cited where people needed to travel outside of the county borough to work or where children needed to stay overnight as examples of things that are fine to do.
He said: “The key issue is for people to adhere to the main points of the new regulations.
“In principle, if you are a business or self-employed, unless you have been told categorically you cannot do something specific then carry on doing it.
“People need to use their best judgement.”
The main points are:
People are not allowed to enter or leave the county borough without a ‘reasonable excuse’, such as work or care commitments.
Everyone over 11 is required to wear face coverings in shops and other indoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.
People are able to meet outdoors, but meetings with other people indoors and extended households are not allowed.
Utilities firm to continue working throughout local lockdown
2.30pm
Wales and West Utilities will continue to carry out work in the area despite the local lockdown.
The company, which manages the gas pipes in Wales and the south west of England, released a statement that said: “Before visiting, you’ll be asked if you, or anyone in your household, is experiencing coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. A gas engineer will still come and help: but teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.
“As far as possible, our teams working in Caerphilly will live in the county themselves, reducing the need for travel beyond the local area.
“And when we are working in the road, or in local homes and businesses, our engineers will all be following clear guidelines to keep themselves and our customers safe.”
Why can pubs stay open?
1.35pm
Our reporter Rhys Williams interviewed Health Minister Vaughan Gething this morning. Here is the write-up where Mr Gething explains why pubs are staying open, the rules around facemasks and why there is disappointment for holidaymakers.
“A wake-up call for everybody”
1.20pm
Speaking at the Welsh Government briefing today, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the figures should be “a wake-up call for everybody”.
He said: “The people who thought coronavirus was no longer a threat should sit up and take notice.
“People in those communities who see behaviour taking place, who see and hear house parties, if they are going to tell police about those, we expect enforcement action to be taken.”
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Incidence rate now at 72.9 cases per 100,000
12.45pm
Speaking at the Welsh Government briefing today, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the incidence rate in Caerphilly County Borough is now at 72.9 cases per 100,000.
He said: “This is one of the highest rates in the UK. Of the 452 tests carried out by a mobile testing unit in Caerphilly on Saturday, 19 were positive, which indicates current transmission within the community.
“A further 488 tests were carried out on the Sunday and a similar number yesterday. We are expecting the results shortly and will make them available when they are.”
Welsh Government briefing
12.30pm
The Eden Centre closes its softplays
12.06pm
The Eden Centre has announced it is closing its softplay centres in Bedwas and Blackwood following the announcement that Caerphilly will be placed into lockdown from 6pm tonight.
Holidays “not a reasonable excuse”
11.21am
We’ve recently gotten off the phone with Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething. He has told us that going on holiday – either in the UK or abroad – is not a reasonable excuse to leave the county borough.
However, travelling to work outside the county, if you can’t work from home, is okay.
We’ll have a full rundown of our interview with him posted by 1pm.
FSB: Businesses need clear information and support
11.15am
Commenting on the news of a local lockdown in Caerphilly, Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair said: “It is regrettable that the rise of coronavirus in Caerphilly has necessitated these actions, but we understand that these decisions are taken in the interest of public health.
“Welsh Government must act quickly to clarify a number of points for businesses in Caerphilly, many of whom will be feeling very anxious tonight about what this means for them.
“What we have learned from lockdowns elsewhere in the UK is that businesses need to know ahead of time what they can and can’t do, and this information needs to be made clear by Welsh Government in the coming hours, ahead of the commencement of the lockdown.
“It is important to remember that many businesses in Caerphilly reopened under a month ago and are still suffering the financial impact of the prolonged closure. Welsh Government and Caerphilly County Borough Council must be prepared to take all necessary steps to guide and support businesses through this latest period of disruption and uncertainty.”
Only go for a test if you have symptoms
11.05am
There are coronavirus testing facilities at Caerphilly Leisure Centre and Ty Penallta, but people are being urged to only attend if they have symptoms.
There were huge queues at the leisure centre yesterday as hundreds of people tried to get a test – many were reportedly turned away.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board said “the facilities are extremely busy so only those people with symptoms, and who live in Caerphilly, should attend”.
A quick rundown of the regulations
10.49am
The restrictions that come into effect tonight at 6pm and are as follows:
- People will not be allowed to enter or leave the county borough without a “reasonable excuse”.
- Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in shops and other indoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- People will only be able to meet outdoors and meetings with other people indoors and extended households will not be allowed for the time being. Overnight stays are not allowed.
Bars and restaurants are not being closed.
A reasonable excuse for travel includes for work, if you are unable to work from home, or for making a compassionate visit, or to give care.
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Some local views on the lockdown
10.32am
Here’s a vox pop carried out by BBC Wales last night – some interesting views.
New drive through testing centre open
10.13am
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has opened a new drive through testing centre at Ty Penallta in Tredomen, near Ystrad Mynach.
The wal-in test centre at Caerphilly Leisure Centre, which was due to close on Tuesday, will remain open for another week.
People with coronavirus symptoms are being urged to attend to take a quick test with no appointment necessary.
The drive through testing centre will be at Penallta House council offices, Tredomen Business Park, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7PG. It will be open until September 15. The opening hours are 9am to 6pm.
The new testing centre follows a huge demand for the walk-in tests at Caerphilly Leisure Centre walk-in test.
Police commissioner urges residents to follow guidance
10.05am
The police and crime commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, has urged residents to follow Welsh Government guidance.
He said: “I know this will come as a blow to residents, but a further lockdown is necessary to reduce the spread of the virus locally and help keep services like schools open.
“Sadly, it appears that many have ignored the very clear advice on social distancing and this is a stark reminder that this virus is still very much with us.
“I would urge all residents to please follow the guidance from Welsh Government and public sector partners in the coming weeks.”
Mr Cuthbert added: “Local businesses currently remain open, and friends and family can meet outdoors. We have not yet returned to the full lockdown that was implemented earlier in the year and if we all play our parts now we can hopefully avoid further restrictions and help to slow the further spreading of the virus.”
Council leader due to go on holiday
9.59am
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s leader Philippa Marsden has admitted she is unclear over the new lockdown rules when it comes to holidays.
When asked by a caller on BBC Radio Wales this morning about travelling overseas she replied: “I’m due to fly to Crete next week myself so I perfectly understand.”
Cllr Marsden said further guidance will be issued by the Welsh Government later today.
She added: “Back in the days of the original lockdown, there were things we couldn’t do and this is very similar. What we need to do is restrict travel because we don’t want it to spread.”
Lockdown could last until next month
9.30am
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething has admitted the lockdown will last for several weeks.
He told BBC Radio Wales: “The evidence and advice that I’ve had from our scientific and medical advisers is that we’re unlikely to see a significant change until at least two to three weeks.
“We’re in it for several weeks at least in Caerphilly. We expect the rate to rise in the next few days because community transmission has already taken place.
“I can’t over-state the seriousness of the situation that we are in.”
Good morning
9.23am
Caerphilly County Borough is the first area in Wales to have local lockdown restrictions placed upon it.
The restrictions will come into effect tonight at 6pm and are as follows:
- People will not be allowed to enter or leave the county borough without a “reasonable excuse”.
- Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in shops and other indoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- People will only be able to meet outdoors and meetings with other people indoors and extended households will not be allowed for the time being.
Bars and restaurants are not being closed.
The new restrictions will apply to everyone living within the Caerphilly County Borough Council area and will be in place for at least two weeks.
We’ll be running live blog throughout the day with all of the updates as they come in.