The head of one of Wales' police forces has warned they will act against anyone ignoring government instructions about staying at home.

In a series of posts on social media, Gwent Police Chief Constable Pam Kelly said the force would be "proportionate and understanding" but would take action against those ignoring advice.

Mrs Kelly also urged young people not to gather in groups, saying there was a need to protect communities, vulnerable people and the NHS.

The number of deaths in Wales linked to coronavirus has been rising almost daily since the first was announced on 16 March.

There have been 22 deaths from Covid-19 in Wales and 628 confirmed cases.

Plaid Cymru wants the Welsh Government to pay all self-employed people a basic income for a month.

The party says the self-employed, freelancers and people on zero-hours contracts should be given £1,180.

It estimates it would cost £247m to give the payment to 210,000 people in those categories.

There has been criticism that government wage support packages do not cater for the self-employed.

The Welsh Government said yesterday it was setting up a fund to help, but is hoping more money will be made available by the UK government.

Plaid leader Adam Price said:"What’s lacking is what people urgently need - certainty."

Inquests in the Gwent Coroner Service area are being postponed until later in the year.

A spokeswoman said: "A few very short inquests may go ahead but families will not be attending, there will be no witnesses and to adhere to social distancing guidelines the main court will not be open."

Records of inquests which do go ahead will be available for reporting purposes afterwards.

The decision to postpone the Tokyo Paralympics from 2020 to 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic has been backed by Baroness Grey-Thompson.

But the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist says the delay may deny some established competitors a farewell appearance.

"There's no winners in this really," she said.

Boris Johnson said he will “get on to the Welsh Government” about volunteering after calls for Wales to be involved in a scheme run over the border.

In England about 250,0000 have signed up to assist people who are being shielded from coronavirus to offer patient transport, provide essential supplies and give telephone support.

Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething said people who want to do the same in Wales should contact their local councils, saying arrangements are already in place.

But Conservative MPs say the Welsh Government should be part of the same scheme as in England. Stephen Crabb said the emergency “requires a joined-up UK-wide effort”.

In response to a question in Prime Minister’s Questions from Craig Williams, Mr Johnson said the nations had been working well together but added: “But we will get on to the Welsh Government this afternoon on the issue he addresses.”

A mechanic working in south Wales who wanted to remain anonymous told BBC Wales staff at a garage were being threatened with disciplinary action if they did not work.

He said offices and showrooms had been closed but garage staff had been asked to volunteer to continue working - but would be classed as going AWOL if they did not put their names down.

"We are trying to keep so many metres away from people, but it is difficult when you are working on the same job. Two pairs of hands sometimes are not enough, you need someone else. It's not always a one-man job," he said.

"We do not know if people's cars are contaminated; we do not know if people we are working with have got it.

"We need to keep emergency services on the road, but we only deal with one or two police cars a week."

The mechanic said his wife had a heart condition and he was afraid of catching the virus and passing it on to her.

"It's making me angry really. I think you should be looking after your staff, that is the job of an employer."

People should volunteer to collect prescriptions for loved ones, neighbours and friends who unable to do so, Boots has said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the company should revisit its decision to charge £5 for prescription deliveries.

In a statement the company said: “Boots has already waived the delivery charge for those patients over 70 years old, and those with underlying health conditions who have been advised by the overnment to self isolate.”

It said its pharmacists also had the discretion to waive charges in an emergency.

It added: “We would like to ask for the support of all in the community to offer to collect prescriptions on behalf of their loved ones, neighbours and friends.

"We would ask that people only request delivery from our stores for their medication if there is no other option available to them.”

Snowdonia hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend when droves of people headed there to get some exercise, only to discover everyone else had had the same idea.

However, pre this week's lockdown, Martin, posting as Kelp and Fern on YouTube, went onto a deserted mountainscape and filmed a silent Snowdon.

He said: "Living nearby I swapped my running trainers for my camera and decided to document the peace and tranquillity of yr Wyddfa after all the chaos of the recent visitors to the mountain.

"This is what Snowdon looks like when its empty."

Stay kind and stay positive says Doctor Who actress Jodie Whittaker.

The Time Lord’s adventures in space and time have been filmed in Cardiff since Doctor Who’s rebirth in 2005.

The Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC) says it is “extremely disappointed” Welsh ministers have decided to roll back on a pledge to give the entire sector business rate relief.

They initially followed plans in England to give business rate relief to all firms in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors for 12 months.

But last night the Welsh Government announced they would not provide relief to a “small proportion of properties” with a rateable value of £500,000 and above – the cash will be used instead to fund help to other businesses, social enterprises and charities.

The WRC said many members had already begun to plan based on the announcement that the UK government’s support for the sector in England would be matched.

Sara Jones of the industry group said: “Many have had to shut their shops over recent days, and the immense cash flow challenges and decisions on jobs which they face due to this unprecedented coronavirus crisis have just got immeasurably tougher.”

The Prime Minister says there is "an army of local volunteers" ready to help deliver food supplies to the vulnerable.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion Ben Lake said he had been contacted by a vulnerable elderly couple who could not get a supermarket home delivery until mid-April.

Boris Johnson told him: "I'm told that there's an army of local volunteers who are delivering food supplies but if he wishes to communicate that case directly to us we'll take it up."

Mr Lake said vulnerable people in rural areas like his constituency needed to be prioritised on food deliveries.

Image source, Getty Images

Councils are taking enforcement action against pubs and other venues found to be open despite coronavirus closure orders.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said "numerous" businesses had "recklessly" continued to open.

"The council yesterday commenced measures which could lead to the licences of a number of premises being revoked," said councillor Rhys Lewis.

Anglesey council said it was aware that six premises had been open on Tuesday and it was writing to pubs and restaurants reminding them of the public health order.

Blaenau Gwent council has received complaints about nine licensed premises which it is investigating.

And Powys council said it was taking enforcement action against some venues in conjunction with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Neath Port Talbot council said its officers had carried out checks and was "pleased to report that compliance was overwhelmingly positive”.

Breaking public health regulations could result in fines or licences being revoked.

Bridgend council says if someone in your household is showing symptoms of coronavirus, tissues should be double-bagged in a plastic bag, put aside for 72 hours and then put into a blue waste bag.

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Ceredigion says two African antelopes have escaped.

In late 2017, Lilleth the Eurasian lynx escaped from the zoo before being found at a nearby caravan site where she was shot dead by a marksman.

“There is no need to be afraid, please remain calm, especially if you see them”, the zoo said in a Facebook post.

It said it had located the male and was doing its best to keep it in one place while the dart team was on its way.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams says the Welsh Government will never ask for bank details when writing about free school meals.

She said any emails relating to free school meals that request bank details should be deleted immediately.

It follows concerns about a scam.

Despite the quiet roads there has been a head-on crash at Blaenplwyf in Ceredigion, leaving a car upturned on its roof.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a 77-year-old had been injured.

Public Health Wales has confirmed five further deaths from coronavirus taking the number of deaths in Wales to 22.

Another 150 new cases have tested positive in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 628, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

“Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales," the national public health agency added.

Snowdonia has been at the centre of controversy with people flocking to the area on the weekend despite advice to keep away from others.

Exercise and outdoor walks are still being recommended though, and YouTube storytellers Kelp and Fern gave an insight into life on Wales' tallest peak during the coronavirus lockdown.

"Living nearby I swapped my running trainers for my camera and decided to document the peace and tranquillity of Yr Wyddfa after all the chaos of the recent visitors to the mountain," said Martin, who made the video.

Daniel Davies
Social affairs correspondent, BBC Wales

Some context on the strain on critical care units in Wales.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said on Tuesday they were 45% full.

That’s a big reduction on normal times. Critical care in Wales has been around 95% full in recent years.

It shows the effect of shutting down large parts of the NHS and discharging other patients.

More beds are promised. Vaughan Gething says there will be more than 300 in total. At the last count, in 2016, there were 176.

Opening the Grange Hospital near Cwmbran earlier than planned will help. Its 350 beds are not critical care beds, but are part of “step down” plans so patients can go there and ease the pressure on other hospitals.

Something similar is happening in Llanelli, where an indoor arena at Parc y Scarlets is being converted so 500 beds can be put there.

A lot is happening, but who knows whether it will be enough?

Image source, Aneurin Bevan UHB