Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Thursday, 16th April, as
follows:

‘I hope this newsletter finds you all well and healthy and that you are
staying at home, keeping safe and most importantly listening to the
advice regarding Covid-19. We all have a role to play in tackling this
pandemic

‘I appreciate that my updates do repeat the key Covid-19 messages.
However, I do not apologise for reminding you all of the importance to
adhering to the Government advice and guidance.

‘Our key role is to preserve lives. It’s simple: we need to stay at home
to take the pressure off the NHS and ensure we all stay safe.
Tragically, people are dying from the virus and anyone who feel they
are immune to it needs to reconsider their view.

‘Living in Pembrokeshire, a fantastic county, does not give us
immunity. I appreciate we are a rural area but please remind
yourselves daily: “anyone can spread or catch this virus, so stay at
home and stay safe.”

‘I also appreciate that staying at home can be challenging. We are
though currently blessed with good weather, so go outside, stretch
your arms and keep mobile.

‘I would like to highlight and thank our leisure centre staff who have
created videos to help everyone of all ages and abilities to keep
active at home during the lockdown.

‘Videos cover general fitness, yoga and core exercises plus specific
videos for those recovering from illness or injury.

‘As Charlotte Armstrong, the Pembrokeshire Exercise Referral Co-
ordinator, explained: “It’s a difficult time and we really wanted to do
something to help everyone feel positive and motivated at home.

“Even if you exercise for just ten minutes a day, it will release
endorphins which help with anxiety and make you feel happier, which
is really important at the moment.”

‘The Pembrokeshire Leisure YouTube channel is free and available
for anyone, so please have a go.

‘It can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pvN2D0m28eZMnrmfm7zAw/featured

‘Or search Pembrokeshire Leisure on YouTube.
‘Over the Easter weekend our officers worked alongside Dyfed-Powys
Police to tackle non-essential travel. This joint operation will be
featured on Wales This Week on ITV Wales tonight at 7 pm. Please
tune in.

‘I’m aware that our Community Hub is very popular and we have now
received and responded to over 1,300 calls since it opened on 26 th
March thus highlighting that the demand is there and growing.
‘Within the Hub the team are dealing with outbound calls to those who
have received the shielding letters. We have now made contact with
1,140 people and, of these, 314 have registered for food parcels.
‘Capacity is being increased with a new set of redeployed staff from
our leisure services division joining the call-handling team. I want to
thank everyone within the Hub for their efforts to support our
communities.

‘I also want to share with you some feedback we have received
regarding the Community Hub. The following comments are very
much appreciated and emphasise the importance of keeping in touch
and the strength of togetherness:

 I just wanted to say a huge thank you for my food box
that has just been delivered – amazing.

 I don't perhaps fit into the typical expectation of
someone who has to follow the shielding guidance …so
it feels very unusual to receive such unprecedented
support from strangers. You also helped put me in touch
with my dog walker!

 In these strange and scary times, knowing that there is
a wonderful community out there, willing to help
everyone and anyone in whatever way they can is the
most heart-warming and reassuring response anyone
can receive. Thank you!!  

 Please do pass on my gratitude – everyone I've spoken
to have been so helpful and upbeat. Just what you need
when you spend all day on your own with just a snoring
dog!

‘The Pembrokeshire Community Hub contact information is:

 website: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-community-information/community-hub

 e-mail: [email protected]

 telephone: 01437 776301

‘Press releases issued since my last update are:

 New Fitness Channel Launched:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/new-fitness-
channel-launched-by-pembrokeshire-leisure

 Follow Lockdown Rules Urge
Councillors:https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/county-councillors-who-contracted-covid-19-urge-residents-to-follow-lockdown-rules

 Community Thanks:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/dyfed-powys-local-resilience-forum-thanks-communities-for-playing-their-part-in-tackling-the-current-health-crisis-on-the-bank-holiday-weekend

‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-resources/

‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom

‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at:
https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

‘Remember: stay strong, stay at home and stay safe. Thank you.’

Useful links:
 www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus   
 www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
 https://phw.nhs.wales/
 Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance