Summary

  • Death toll in Wales has reached 62

  • There are now 1,451 confirmed cases in Wales, but the real figure is expected to be higher

  • Coronavirus restrictions will be with us for 'the long haul', says First Minister Mark Drakeford

  • The Welsh Government announces support for businesses as part of a £1.1bn coronavirus package

  • Campaigners have warned of a "domestic abuse pandemic" as people are forced to stay at home

  • The National Eisteddfod is being postponed for a year

  1. Good nightpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    That's all from the live updates team tonight - we'll be back with the latest in the morning.

    Monday's key points:

    • Tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad by the coronavirus pandemic will be flown home under a new arrangement between the UK government and airlines
    • Current restrictions to limit the spread on coronavirus are likely to be in place for the "long haul", Wales' first minister says
    • Fourteen more people have died in Wales after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 62
    • A £1.1bn support package for the economy and public services in Wales has been unveiled
    • Lifting coronavirus prevention measures will be a matter of "trial and error", Wales' chief medical officer says
  2. Welsh businesses welcome £1.1bn lifelinepublished at 22:57 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    A £1.1bn support package for the Welsh economy has been welcomed by an employers’ organisation group as “vital” for businesses to survive the pandemic.

    First Minister Mark Drakeford said the fund was to help businesses “weather the coronavirus storm”.

    CBI Wales director Ian Price said more support for large and small firms may be needed as the crisis continues.

    “Firms will continue to do their best by their employees, adapting quickly to new guidance and helping national efforts by supplying essential goods and services,” he said.

    “Longer term, close cooperation and communication between business, unions, devolved and national governments will be essential to ensuring as many firms as possible can emerge from hibernation intact once the pandemic passes.”

  3. McClure and Owen thank Merthyr hospitalpublished at 22:55 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Line of Duty star Vicky McClure and Welsh filmmaker and actor Jonathan Owen have thanked Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

    The couple have shared their thanks on social media to staff at Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles Hospital for working during this "horrifically tough time".

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  4. 'Yet another car seized' in essential-travel stoppublished at 22:44 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post

    Police in Swansea say they have seized "yet another vehicle" while stopping drivers to check whether their journey was essential.

    Under current restrictions, people may only leave home to exercise once a day, travel to and from work when it is "absolutely necessary", shop for essential items and fulfil any medical or care needs.

    The force tweeted to say a vehicle had been seized this morning after the driver was found to have drugs, no insurance, no MOT and no licence.

    "Not essential travel," the force tweeted, calling for people to stay at home.

  5. Dyer's tribute to hospital staffpublished at 22:35 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The actor Danny Dyer has always had an affinity with Wales, thanks to his breakthrough role in the 1999 film Human Traffic, which was set in Cardiff.

    Now, the EastEndersstar is showing some love for Wales in these uncertain times with this tribute to the staff at Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  6. Market traders begin delivery servicespublished at 22:31 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Traders at Swansea Market have started delivery services as the Covid-19 lockdown continues.

    The market had remained open until Saturday but has now been closed.

    “A number of our food traders offer a home delivery service and - thanks to them still having access to the market that will go on," said Nick Jones, chairman of Swansea Market Traders Federation.

    It is home to more than 100 businesses and casual traders and attracts about 80,000 shoppers each week.

    Traders at Swansea Market have begun delivery servicesImage source, Deborah Tilley/Geograph
    Image caption,

    Traders at Swansea Market have begun delivery services

  7. Virus impacts Welsh farmingpublished at 22:16 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The coronavirus continues to have a big impact on Welsh farming, from concerns about the health and safety of farmers and their stock, to the loss in value of their produce.

    Speaking about a lack of skilled workforce and a shortage of foreign farm workers due to the virus, Aled Jones, deputy president of National Farmers' Union of Cymru, said: "Farmers work in such a way where they would likely sacrifice themselves in order to continue to care for the animals.

    "If I or my son fell ill, how could we stay away yet still arrange milking and the day to day running of the farm? We have a huge duty of care to these animals.

    "Of course we have a responsibility not to infect anyone else who also works on the farm but it does keep me up at night as I worry about how we would cope."

    On the subject of prices and trends, Rhys Davies, chief executive of Dolgellau Farmers Marts, said: "We are working very closely with the relevant authorities, under strict guidelines, to try and keep this sector going.

    "But the food chain is extremely complicated and you only need one small thing within that chain to break it down entirely.

    "We are seeing a huge reduction in sheep value as the wholesale market, supplying hotels and restaurants, has completely disappeared.

    "We are seeing more sales in retail but there people are wanting more of the cheap meats like mince, as steaks and other prime cuts are left unwanted."

    Sheep on a Welsh farmImage source, Getty Images
  8. Intensive care consultant's bid to get back to Walespublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    A senior intensive care consultant stranded in India is desperate to get home to Wales to treat patients struck by coronavirus, his colleague has said.

    Dr Venkat Sundaram, the clinical lead for intensive care at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, flew to India several weeks ago to visit his sick father who has since died.

    The coronavirus pandemic has left him unable to find a flight home so his colleagues want the UK and Welsh governments to help him get back.

    Dr Dafydd Williams, an intensive care registrar at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff who worked with Dr Sundaram for 18 months, said: “He’s the clinical lead for intensive care at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, so he’s needed back here.

    “ICU consultants are going to be delivering the front line services to patients, but as a clinical lead he will also be crucial to planning the intensive care capacity and response.

    “We’re asking for the UK and Welsh governments to urgently work with the Indian government to get him home.”

    Earlier, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad would be flown home under a new arrangement between the government and airlines.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  9. Deliberately-started fires ‘depressing during national crisis’published at 21:51 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    People deliberately starting grass fires as the world tackles the coronavirus pandemic is depressing, a manager for the Woodland Trust has said.

    On Wednesday Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service took two hours to extinguish a large grass fire which had been deliberately started at the truist's Coed Maesmelin site near Skewen, Neath.

    Site Manager for the Woodland Trust Chris Matts said: “It’s so depressing to think that, at this moment of national crisis, anyone would wish to do such a thing.”

    He said a large area of open ground has burned, destroying the eggs of ground nesting birds and causing huge harm to voles and other wildlife including small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

    Fire crews across Wales have dealt with a number of deliberately-started grass fires over the past few weeks.

    Damage caused by the fireImage source, WTML/Chris Matts
  10. Stranded abroad: The bid to get homepublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Coronavirus has left many stranded abroad with no flights home.

    These people from Wales tell their stories.

    Earlier, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raad said tens of thousands of Britons stranded abroad would be flown home under a new arrangement between the UK government and airlines.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Newlyweds among the Welsh stuck abroad

  11. Entertainer asks Twitter to pray for his sonpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Entertainer and former Radio Wales presenter Mike Doyle has asked people to pray for his son who is in hospital with Covid-19.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  12. 'The Gwent area seems to be a hotspot'published at 21:24 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Chief medical officer Frank Atherton explains the coronavirus spread in Wales.

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
  13. Thank you notes left for refuse collectorspublished at 21:16 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Residents in Caerphilly have been leaving thank you notes for the men and women taking away their rubbish.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. Carluccio's collapse puts 2,000 jobs at riskpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Carluccio's restaurantImage source, Carluccio's

    Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's has gone into administration, blaming "challenging trading conditions" made worse by the coronavirus outbreak.

    Administrator FRP is "urgently looking at options" for the future of the firm, which has two restaurants in Cardiff.

    These include mothballing the business using government support, as well as trying to sell all or parts of it.

    Most of the company's 2,000 employees will be paid through the government's job retention scheme while these options are explored.

    This allows for staff to be paid up to 80% of their salary.

    Earlier today, BrightHouse - the UK's largest rent-to-own household goods chain - went into administration, putting 2,400 jobs at risk.

  15. A dare from a damepublished at 20:51 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Dame Shirley Bassey has a challenge for everyone.

    "Try holding the last line of Goldfinger for 20 seconds whilst washing your hands if you dare!" she posted on Facebook.

    The star, who was born in Cardiff, added: "I know many of us will be living through different experiences and emotions... some happy to have this time at home with loved ones but others feeling the loneliness of isolation.

    "I live alone, but am lucky to have a great support network around me."

    Dame Shirley also thanked key workers and NHS staff, adding: "You're all heroes."

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
  16. Postman told 'I hope you get coronavirus'published at 20:41 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    A postman in Wrexham has spoken of the abuse he received from a man unable to get his mail.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  17. Do you have a question about coronavirus?published at 20:38 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    BBC Radio Wales' Jason Mohammad wants your questions to put to a panel of coronavirus experts on tomorrow's programme.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  18. 'Childcare isn't working out'published at 20:24 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    A doctor talks about juggling work and family life with nursery closures.

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
  19. Health board upping bed numberspublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The health board for north Wales has said it is increasing bed numbers at three of its hospitals to care for patients with Covid-19.

    Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said work was also under way to develop field hospitals away from its main sites to further increase the number of beds available.

    It said construction work had begun to install an additional 80 beds at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.

    The board said more than 200 people had expressed an interest in joining its staff.

    More than 1,100 employees currently in non-clinical areas have also joined a database of staff who can be redeployed to support clinical areas when needed, it added.

    Glan Clwyd sign
  20. 'All frontline ambulance staff being fitted for face masks'published at 19:52 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The Welsh Ambulance Service has responded to criticism over its use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Earlier on Monday the GMB union said its members had reported being given no access to PPE, even when being sent to treat patients suspected of having Covid-19.

    Claire Roche, the service's executive director of quality and nursing, said: “We are working with our colleagues across Welsh Government and the wider NHS to ensure we optimise our stock of PPE...

    “All frontline staff are being fit-tested for face masks, and all face masks have passed rigorous safety testing and have been confirmed as safe for use by the Health and Safety Executive.”