The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why the government is now (23 March 2020) introducing three new measures.
- Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
- Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
- Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public
Every citizen must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
These measures are effective immediately. The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.
Please click HERE for the Government's stay at home advice.
Please click HERE for the Government's information on closing non-essential shops and public spaces.
Delivering these new measures
These measures will reduce our day to day contact with other people. They are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus.
Every citizen is instructed to comply with these new measures.
The Government will therefore be ensuring the police and other relevant authorities have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply.
They will initially last for the three weeks from 23 March, at which point the Government will look at them again and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.
Important Update 16th April 2020
Following the advice from The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) it was stated that relaxing any of the measures currently in place would risk damage to both public health and the economy. Based on this advice, the government has decided that the measures will remain in place for at least the next three weeks.
There are important changes as the experts said the virus and the epidemic is now shrinking in the community. There are however places where there is growth of the virus. We cannot relax. Complying with the rules to stay at home, complying with social distancing regular hand washing continues to be integral to recovery.
Five conditions were stated to be required before the lockdown was eased:
- Making sure the NHS could cope.
- A "sustained and consistent" fall in the daily death rate.
- Reliable data showing the rate of infection was decreasing to "manageable levels".
- Ensuring the supply of tests and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could meet future demand.
- Being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak.
Now is not the time to give Coronavirus a second chance'.
Important Update 10th May 2020
Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information for individuals and businesses in Wales.
Welsh Government guidance on staying at home and away from others.
Last updated 12th May 2020.