Summary

  • This is the first full day severe restrictions have been imposed on the public by the government

  • People can now only leave their home to go shopping for essentials, exercise once a day or go to work if you can't work from home

  • Assembly members approve a bill giving the Welsh Government sweeping powers to enforce the lockdown

  • The first minister insists there's enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff, despite concerns from nurses over supplies

  • Greggs joins McDonald's, Nando's, Costa Coffee and Subway and closes its outlets

  • KLM - One of Cardiff Airport's longest-serving airlines - is to "significantly reduce" its flights

  • The Principality Stadium, Wales' national stadium, could be used to help authorities tackle coronavirus

  • There have been 17 deaths from Covid-19 in Wales and 478 confirmed cases

  1. Here's your lunchtime briefingpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Hi everyone, we hope you're having a nice a day as possible as Wales and the UK adjusts to the strictest peacetime restrictions on people's lives in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus.

    Here's a round-up of the latest:-

    • Police have powers to enforce the rules as camp sites, caravan parks, libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are closed.
    • All gatherings and social events - including weddings and baptisms - of more than two people in public are banned.
    • Another death from Covid-19 has been announced in Wales, taking the total to 17, with 60 extra confirmed cases taking the total to 478.
    • Wales' health minister says bed occupancy in critical care units is at about 45%, with 15% of patients with Covid-19 suspected or confirmed.

    We'll be updating this page all day to keep you right up to date. Stay safe.

    Locals have put a sign up outside Ogmore-By-Sea warning visitors to stay away
    Image caption,

    Locals have put a sign up outside Ogmore-By-Sea warning visitors to stay away

  2. Food firm in talks to help vulnerable peoplepublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Sarah Dickins
    BBC Wales Economics Correspondent

    The Carmarthenshire-based food company Castell Howell is talking with others to develop a system to ensure food gets to vulnerable people in Wales.

    The company usually employs 760 people. Three quarters of its sales are usually to restaurants, hotels and the catering sector and around 20% to the public sector .

    Castell Howell says there is no issue with supplies to the NHS and care homes but confirms it in talks with the Welsh Government about how to get supplies to vulnerable people in their own homes.

    The company runs 160 vehicles but they are mainly large lorries that could not deliver along a residential street.

    Since it usually supplies the catering industry, which buys in vast sizes, Castell Howell is trying to get those suppliers - such as Heinz - to supply them in consumer sizes not catering packs .

    The company is still in the process of working out how many of its staff it will have to let go .

    Butcher
  3. Another death in Wales from coronaviruspublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Another death in Wales linked to coronavirus been reported, taking the number of deaths to 17. It was among 60 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Wales to 478, although experts warn the true number is likely to be higher.

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  4. Keep fit with Cliffpublished at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Looking for inspiration to keep fit while you stay at home?

    Well, how about this from legendary former Wales and Tottenham footballer Cliff Jones?

    A member of Wales' 1958 World Cup squad, the former Swansea winger has shared this workout from his garden at the age of 85.

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  5. KLM to suspend Cardiff routespublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020
    Breaking

    One of Cardiff Airport's key airlines is to "significantly reduce" its flights as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

    KLM - which runs a daily service between Cardiff and its busy hub in Amsterdam - will carry out about 10% of the normal number of flights from Sunday until 3 May.

    Cardiff Airport said the industry faced unprecedented challenges but claimed it was "in a strong position to bounce back when the recovery comes".

    A KLM planeImage source, Reuters
  6. Pop-up food bank openspublished at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Food bank supplies

    A pop-up food bank has opened in Llangefni today as demand for food banks increases during the coronavirus crisis.

    Anglesey County Council’s head of housing services, Ned Thomas, said: “We are very grateful for the all the donations we’ve received so far.

    “However, the current stock won’t last long and it is important that we ensure that supplies don’t run low during this period.

    “I would urge those of you who can to please support this cause and donate what you can to help those in need.”

    A donation of £12 provides an emergency food parcel for one person for three days and includes items such as breakfast cereals, pasta, tinned foods and tea and coffee.

  7. 'Graphic details of the seriousness of the disease' neededpublished at 11:47 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    The Brexit Party's Caroline Jones tells members of the Welsh Assembly that people "need to understand that Covid-19 is not like flu".

    Speaking in the Senedd chamber, she said: "While people shouldn't panic, they should be made aware with graphic details of the seriousness of the disease."

    Ms Jones also raised concerns about crowded public transport.

    First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was in discussions with Transport for Wales on the matter.

    He said passenger numbers were down but added: "We need sufficient services so people aren’t forced into being in too close proximity to others.”

    Caroline Jones
    Image caption,

    Caroline Jones said people "need to understand that Covid-19 is not like flu"

  8. 'We'll be there'published at 11:37 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Emergency department staff at Morriston Hospital in Swansea want you to stay at home... but if you need them, they've got this message for you.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Morriston Hospital A&E nurses' song of hope

  9. 'Can I go cleaning windows?'published at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    "I'm a window cleaner, am I allowed to go to work?" is one of the questions North Wales Police say they're getting on their non emergency telephone line during the coronavirus crisis.

    Another caller asked: "My car needs an MOT, am I allowed to go out to get that done?"

    Officers have been referring people to government websites, external and are appealing for people to be sensible when ringing in to avoid any extra strain on the system.

    "Officers will be working with communities to make sure that the UK and Welsh Government's instructions on social distancing are respected," said a force spokesperson.

    "We will take action if needed, but we hope that people will listen to the important message that's already gone out."

    A window cleanerImage source, Getty Images
  10. Support for the self-employed?published at 11:13 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    The first minister echoes calls by Plaid Cymru's Sian Gwenllian for extra funding to support the self-employed.

    Mark Drakeford told Ms Gwenllian that he expects to hear today or later this week from the UK Government on extra funding.

    He said the Welsh Government doesn't have “sufficient funding” to act without that.

    Sian Gwenllian also said laptops should be given to children who don’t have them so that they can do school work at home. She also asked if the first minister was working with Openreach to improve internet access.

    Mr Drakeford said the education minister was working to find other ways for young people to be “assisted” with school work where online learning is not viable.

    Sian Gwenllian
    Image caption,

    Sian Gwenllian wants children to be given laptops to do school work at home

  11. What are the UK's new strict restriction rulespublished at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night announced a series of new restrictions to fight the coronavirus outbreak in a televised address from 10 Downing Street.

    What are the new measures?

    • Shops selling "non-essential goods" including clothes and electronics stores will be closed immediately
    • Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship will also close
    • Gatherings of more than two people (excluding people who live together) will be banned
    • There will be no weddings or baptisms but funerals will be allowed
    • Parks will remain open but people are only to go out to exercise once a day

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: 'You must stay at home', Boris Johnson orders

  12. Ten of your most-asked coronavirus questionspublished at 11:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Can divorced parents still see their kids? How long do you have the illness, how does it affect asthmatics and other questions answered.

    A woman wearing a facemaskImage source, Getty Images
  13. Prison visits cancelledpublished at 10:50 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Relatives are invited to write, email or send voicemail to keep in touch with inmates.

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  14. Extra budget planned for crisispublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    The first minister said all parts of Welsh Government spending were being “interrogated” to see where funds can be found to support the coronavirus response.

    In response to a question from Conservative group leader Paul Davies, Mark Drakeford said he intended to bring forward a “supplementary budget” which will “realign” spending for the “new and urgent priorities”.

    Senedd chamber
    Image caption,

    Only a handful of members attended the session in view of advice on social distancing

    Conservative group leader Paul Davies
    Image caption,

    Conservative group leader Paul Davies

  15. Golf courses to shutpublished at 10:31 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Golf courses across Wales and England will shut following the latest government measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

    Amateur golfers had previously been able to continue playing while adhering to guidance on social distancing.

    “It is clear that golf clubs, courses and facilities must close with immediate effect," said a statement from Wales Golf.

    European celebrate their winImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Wales hosted the Ryder Cup in 2010

  16. Mobile networks send 'stay at home' textpublished at 10:27 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    For the first time, all the UK's mobile networks are sending out a government message to their customers with details of the new shutdown measures.

    Some subscribers have already received the text message
    Image caption,

    Some subscribers have already received the text message

  17. 'Worst medical crisis for over a century'published at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    The first minister tells members of the Welsh Assembly that everyone “must change their way of life” in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

    In a statement in the Senedd, Mark Drakeford said Wales was facing its “worst medical crisis for over a century”.

    Explaining why extraordinary new measures are needed to strictly limit people’s movements, Mr Drakeford said demand on NHS services is already significant and could become “overwhelming”.

    Mark Drakeford
  18. Senedd Livepublished at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Welsh Government ministers are giving statements on the coronavirus crisis to the assembly in Cardiff Bay.

    Click the "play" button at the top of this page to watch proceedings live online.

  19. Thinking of sending children to school or childcare?published at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    The Welsh Government says there are five things you need to know, external. Here's a summary:

    1. Everyone who can must minimise social contact and make sure anyone particularly vulnerable can adopt strict social distancing.

    2. Schools and childcare are only open to the smallest number of children possible - but children shouldn't be left with anyone who should be following strict social distancing, eg those over 70 or with the relevant underlying health conditions.

    3. Only particularly vulnerable children and the children of people whose work is critical to the Covid-19 response should be in school. And even for critical workers, that's only if there is no safe alternative.

    4.If one parent is a critical worker but the other isn't, the other should look after the kids at home if possible.

    5. If you've seen different advice from different councils, they're doing everything they can but initial plans will now adapt and change.

    A child walks past a schoolImage source, Getty Images
  20. Schools still open for children of 'critical' workerspublished at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2020

    Child chalking on flagstones in her gardenImage source, Carys Ingram
    Image caption,

    Most parents have heeded the call to keep their children at home

    Schools will continue to stay open for children of workers in essential services despite the new restrictions on people's movement, the Welsh Government says.

    Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: "I’d like to thank parents for listening to the advice and keeping most children at home.

    "I’d be grateful if you only use schools or childcare as a last resort."

    She added advice has "not changed" as a result of Monday evening's decision to further restrict movement.

    "Children should be at home wherever possible," said Ms Williams.

    "Critical workers will still need to have safe care arrangements for their children.

    "Our schools and childcare settings are providing a vital service to support critical workers and our most vulnerable children."