Following yesterday's announcement that Wrexham will be one of the constituencies in North Wales to be subject to local lockdown measures from 6pm tomorrow (Thursday 1st October), Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton gives an update to residents.
Wrexham joins 11 other local authorities in Wales in local lockdown.
Commenting on the news, Sarah said:
"In the last 7 days, 59 people in the Wrexham County Borough Council area (covering a population of roughly 130,000) have tested positive for COVID-19. We do know that there is an upwards trend in the number of positive cases, however the numbers are still small. We must take into account the consequences of lockdown measures on peoples mental health, wellbeing, finances and jobs. Whilst I understand, and respect, the decision of the Welsh Government in imposing these measures, I do not believe that the number of cases justifies the blanket restrictions we are seeing.
I was disappointed to not be consulted on the decision to impose lockdown measures in Wrexham, but I am pleased to have had conversations with representatives from the Welsh Government this morning and look forward to further conversations as they review the lockdown measures weekly. It is important that we all do our part to tackle the virus by respecting the new restrictions, and we all must take responsibility. We must work together to do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus, and I will continue to work closely with the police, the local authority, and colleagues in both Cardiff and Westminster."
The latest Welsh Government guidance can be found here, however, a brief summary is provided below:
- Residents will not be able to enter or leave Wrexham unless for one of the following "reasonable" reasons:
- To obtain food and medical supplies for those in the same household (including animals in the household) or for vulnerable persons.
Supplies for the essential upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household, or the household of a vulnerable person. - Obtain money from or deposit money with any business or service including - Post offices, banks, building societies, credit unions, short term loan providers, savings clubs, cash points and undertakings which by way of business operate currency exchange offices, transmit money (or any representation of money) by any means or cash cheques which are made payable to customers.
- Obtain or provide medical assistance including: dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health. Also for veterinary services.
- Provide or receive care or assistance, including relevant personal care where the person receiving the care is a vulnerable person.
- Work or provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not reasonably practicable to do so from home
- Where the person is an elite athlete, to train and compete.
- Provide or receive emergency assistance
- Attend a solemnization of a marriage or formation of a civil partnership— (i) as a party to the marriage or civil partnership, (ii) if invited to attend, or (iii) as the carer of a person attending.
- Attend a funeral— (i) as a person responsible for arranging the funeral, (ii) if invited by a person responsible for arranging the funeral, or (iii) as the carer of a person attending.
- To obtain food and medical supplies for those in the same household (including animals in the household) or for vulnerable persons.
- "Bubbles" (or extended households) no longer exist
- You must only mix indoors with members of your own household
- Pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants must stop selling alcohol at 10pm. You can only sit indoors in these places with people from your household
- You can still meet up to 30 people outdoors (but they must be from within the Wrexham area)
As always, if I can help with anything please get in touch. Email me at sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk or call 01978 291742