Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 8) (Caerphilly) Regulations 2020 were introduced on 8 September in Caerphilly County Borough Council area in response to a sharp and sudden rise in coronavirus cases to protect people’s health and control the spread of the virus.
Welsh Ministers must review the regulations by 24 September to ensure they are proportionate. That review has been carried out.
Cases of coronavirus have declined steadily since the restrictions were introduced in Caerphilly borough two weeks ago. I would like to thank residents for all their hard work and their efforts to help control the spread of this infectious virus. Compliance with the restrictions has been very high.
However, we still have some way to go. Rates of infection remain high in the borough – above the levels we would want to see. After discussing the situation with the local authority, we have decided to leave the restrictions in place for at least a further seven days.
If we continue to see a further reduction in cases in the borough, we hope we will be able to consider relaxing the local restrictions.
In the meantime, the following restrictions will remain in place for everyone living in Caerphilly borough:
- People will not be allowed to enter or leave the Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse.
- Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in indoor places, which are open to the public, such as shops, as well as on public transport – as is the case in the rest of Wales.
- People will only be able to meet outdoors for the time being. People will not be able to meet members of their extended household indoors or form an extended household (sometimes known as a “bubble”).
New, Wales-wide restrictions preventing the sale of alcohol after 10pm come into force this evening at 6pm and all hospitality businesses selling alcohol will also have to provide table service only.
I want to encourage people living in Caerphilly borough to continue following these rules – over the last two weeks you have made a considerable difference to the spread of the virus in the area; with your continued help, we will see that downward trend continue.