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What you need to know about higher level restrictions to control coronavirus

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FOLLOWING the four UK Nations meeting earlier today the Welsh Government announced that the higher level restrictions, alert level 4 would come into force from midnight tonight on Saturday 19 December 2020 for the whole of Wales.

Originally, it was noted that restrictions would be introduced after a five-day relaxation period over Christmas, but because the number of cases is currently increasing very rapidly, and concern that a much more infectious variant of the virus is spreading more quickly the Welsh Government decided to introduce the restrictions immediately.

From today changes have been introduced that affect businesses and residents of Pembrokeshire as follows:

  • All non-essential retail businesses, including close contact services, all leisure and fitness centres and all hospitality sites will close at the end of the day.
  • Tighter restrictions on mixing between households will change from tonight.  Two families can create a bubble on Christmas day only. It will not be possible to do so over the 5 days as originally stated.  However, a single person household will be able to join with one other household throughout the level 4 period.

Mark Drakeford said that Saturday was one of the days where new information required an immediate response.

“Changing our plans at short notice is going to be very difficult for us all”, he said, “but we can only overcome this by working together.  It is essential that we respond immediately to this danger.”

To play our part and to keep each other safe, it is important that we abide by the rules and remember to:

  • Adhere to the rules of keeping a social distance with people who do not live with us or who are not in our support bubble
  • Wear face covering (if we can) in all indoor public places
  • Stay at home
  • Not forming an extended household (adults living alone or single parents are allowed to join one other household to create a support bubble)
  • Don’t meet anyone indoors except for the people we live with or who are in our support bubble
  • Don’t meet anyone but our household or support bubble in a private garden
  • Don’t meet anyone but our household or outdoor support bubble
  • Work from home if we can
  • Not travelling without reasonable excuse
  • Not travelling abroad without reasonable excuse.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, you must self-isolate at home and arrange an immediate test, leaving your home for a test only. You can order a test online or by calling 119.

Be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 include high temperatures, a new continuous cough and experiencing loss or change in sense of smell or sense of taste. But also, the early symptoms can usually include headaches, fatigue and general flu-related pains. So we encourage people who feel unwell to be very careful, especially to wash hands and keep a distance, and if in doubt, order a test.

Together we can keep Pembrokeshire safe.

Responding to the news that Wales is going into lockdown, Darren Hughes, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation said: “The message today from the First Minister is a sobering one for us all. Over the last few weeks we have warned that our hospitals in Wales are becoming overwhelmed with people suffering from Coronavirus. As the prevalence within our communities continues to grow, the knock on effect we have seen in terms of staff absences has been very significant putting services under extreme pressure.  These members of staff live in, work in and treat people within these same communities.

“It is clear we needed to take steps now to get the virus under control, the NHS in Wales simply could not cope if we followed the current trajectory and transmission rates. Unfortunately, we need another huge and difficult national effort to help us get through the worst of this. We need everyone to please respect the restrictions and help us overcome this virus over the coming weeks.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel with the emergence of the vaccine, and of course we are working round the clock to make sure that is delivered as quickly as possible.”

“Nobody within the NHS wants to see these restrictions in place. We know there are harms which are caused by the measures. However, the price we would pay if we let the virus get out of the control would be even greater.”

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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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