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. £1.1bn from Welsh Government is 'reprioritised' moneypublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The £1.1bn being announced today from the Welsh Government is "reprioritised" money, Wales economics correspondent Sarah Dickins says.

    Unlike the UK government, the Welsh Government cannot increase the money that it has available to spend .

    It has gone though every line of ministerial budgets and has moved money from there and prioritised it for fighting the health and economic impacts of coronavirus.

    So for instance it has taken money from the international relations budget. Also from a budget for enforcement cameras on the highways, as people are not meant to be driving much anyway.

    The BBC understands that about 25% of the £1.1bn is from its existing budget, as above.

  2. Latest coronavirus update live from 12:30published at 12:28 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Watch the Welsh Government's latest coronavirus update here.

    The press conference will be streamed live above from 12:30.

  3. Ceredigion sites provide 'capacity' against coronaviruspublished at 11:47 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Three sites in Ceredigion have been set aside to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.

    Plascrug Leisure Centre, Aberystwyth's Penweddig School and Cardigan Leisure Centre will provide "additional capacity".

    Further sites across the county are also being considered.

    Hywel Dda health board medical director Phil Kloer said: “We have followed the situation in Italy closely to learn where possible and to help our planning.

    "Our European colleagues have provided feedback that patient flow and throughput is a critical factor in response to Covid-19 pressures.”

  4. 'Crucial' senior consultant stranded in Indiapublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Brendon Williams
    BBC Wales reporter

    A senior consultant - described as “crucial” to north Wales’ fight against coronavirus - is stranded in India and cannot get back to the UK.

    Venkat Sundaram is the clinical lead for intensive care at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.

    He flew to India several weeks ago to visit his sick father, who has since died.

    Dr Sundaram is now desperate to return to work.

    Dafydd Williams, an intensive care registrar at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, has worked with Dr Sundaram in the past.

    “He’s the clinical lead for intensive care at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, so he’s needed back here," said Dr Williams.

    “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."

  5. Easter eggs: essential?published at 11:13 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Easter eggImage source, Getty Images

    What's essential in a lockdown?

    Basic supplies, sure. Bread, milk... the usual. What about Easter eggs?

    Off-licences have been added to the government's list of essential UK retailers allowed to stay open, but should chocolate count too?

    Shops selling selling Easter eggs say they are facing interference from “heavy-handed” officials trying to restrict the range of goods they can sell under coronavirus curbs.

    Some convenience stores have been told by police and local councils that the chocolate eggs are considered non-essential goods.

    The Association of Convenience Stores is unhappy about that and has told shopkeepers to carry on selling a full range of goods. You can read the full story here.

  6. Music venue raising cash for freelancers put out of workpublished at 10:48 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Clwb Ifor BachImage source, Google

    A Cardiff rock venue is raising cash to help freelancers and staff left without work by coronavirus.

    Clwb Ifor Bach said it could not "could not function" without them.

    They include technicians, DJs, and photographers.

    "The most fragile section of the Clwb community are those that are not in a contract with us," a spokesman said.

    "So we've decided to set up this Crowdfunder campaign to help these people out.

    "They're integral to keep us going and they're all incredible at what they do."

  7. Domestic violence victims 'suffering in silence,' police fearpublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    There has been a drop in calls to police about domestic violence, the Gwent force's chief constable has said.

    Pam Kelly wrote on Twitter she was worried this meant victims were "suffering in silence."

    "We will not tolerate domestic abuse," she says.

    It comes as campaigners say they fear the coronavirus lockdown could lead to a "domestic abuse pandemic."

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  8. Businesses 'flouting social distancing and lockdown rules'published at 10:15 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    "Robust enforcement" must be taken against employers who are "openly flouting social distancing and lockdown instructions", an assembly member has said.

    Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies wrote to First Minister Mark Drakeford saying the Welsh Government must take prompt action if the spread of Covid-19 is to be stopped.

    Mr Davies said in his constituency, within the former Gwent area which has seen the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wales, many constituents had contacted him to say bosses were telling them to turn up for non-essential work.

    He cited three examples, including one of a manufacturing company alleged to be ignoring social distancing measures and telling pregnant women previously told to leave work that they should return the following day.

    Mr Davies said: "To be candid, I am greatly alarmed at both the number and the nature of the violations that have just been reported to me.”

  9. Morning updatepublished at 10:04 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Here's your morning briefing, with a round-up of updates from today so far:

    • The coronavirus outbreak will lead to a "domestic abuse pandemic" as vulnerable people spend all day with their abuser, campaigners have warned
    • The National Eisteddfod has been postponed until next year because of coronavirus restrictions
    • Plaid Cymru has called for the debts of medical students joining the front line to fight coronavirus to be scrapped
    • An AM has written to the first minister calling for “robust enforcement” against employers which are “openly flouting social distancing and lockdown instructions"
    • Public Health Wales' latest announcement on Sunday said 10 more people have died in Wales after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 48
    • There have been 1,241 confirmed cases, but the real figure is expected to be higher
  10. Coronavirus and sex: What you need to knowpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    A cartoon couple in bedImage source, Getty Images

    If I have sex can I catch coronavirus? You might have thought about it but been too embarrassed to ask.

    To separate the facts from myths, BBC News put your questions to health experts.

    Alix Fox and Dr Alex GeorgeImage source, PAUL COCHRANE/JESSIE WHEALEY

    Alex George is an A&E doctor and former Love Island contestant.

    He said: "If you're in a relationship… living with that person, and sharing the same environment, it shouldn't change your situation.

    "However, if one of you is displaying symptoms of coronavirus, then you should maintain your social-distancing and isolate, even within your home."

    Alix Fox is a sex journalist, former presenter of BBC Radio 1's Unexpected Fluids show, and co-host of The Modern Mann podcast.

    She said: "It's also really important not to assume that if you are experiencing mild symptoms of coronavirus it will be the same for your partner. So, if you're showing any symptoms whatsoever do try and stay away from your lover."

  11. Scrap debt for medical students on front line?published at 09:26 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Medical students moving to the NHS front line should have part of their student debt scrapped, Plaid Cymru has said.

    Last week, the Welsh Government said final-year medical students, nurses and midwives would be brought into paid roles in the NHS.

    Plaid Cymru health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said student debt should be written off for those involved as a “recognition” of the “invaluable contribution” they are making.

    The Ynys Môn AM said the public’s debt to health and care staff would be “insurmountable”.

    Rhun ap Iorwerth AM
  12. 'Early signs' spread slowing down in UKpublished at 09:10 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The spread of coronavirus in the UK is showing "early signs" of slowing down since the lockdown, according to a leading UK government adviser.

    Strict measures came into place a week ago.

    Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London says some indicators, such as the numbers of new hospital admissions per day, suggest the spread does "appear to be slowing down a little bit".

    He told the BBC's Today programme that the numbers hadn't "plateaued" yet and were still increasing each day, "but the rate of that increase has slowed".

    However, he added that this pattern hadn't been reflected in the number of deaths - but these usually lagged a long way behind.

  13. Plan to keep NHS staff fedpublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Businesses in Cardiff are raising cash in a bid to keep NHS staff at the city's University Hospital of Wales fed.

    Those involved, including cafes Penylan Pantry and Waterloo Tea, say they will be working from the Heath Hospital Sports and Social Club, on the hospital site.

    Penylan Pantry said on Twitter the aim was to provide "nutritional meals" to keep "energy levels and immune systems strong".

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  14. Hundreds of NHS workers' images used in artworkpublished at 08:48 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

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    Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn has created an artwork thanking the NHS, made up of 200 health workers' pictures.

    The images were sent to the artist - known for producing celebrity portraits and pop culture imagery using materials such as food and household items.

    The collage shows a medic's masked face, with the words "Thank you" at the bottom.

    Wyburn said on Twitter he had been "overwhelmed" with responses when he asked for images and added that he wanted to thank NHS staff for their "hard work, courage and heart".

  15. Lifting prevention measures is 'trial and error'published at 08:39 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Lifting coronavirus prevention measures will be a matter of "trial and error," Wales chief medical officer says.

    "The problem is as soon as you start to lift social distancing measures the virus can come back again," Frank Atherton said.

    "The challenge will be once the virus is contained to figure out which of those measures we can lift, and in what order, and to be honest that's going to be a bit of trial and error."

    He expected restrictions would be lifted "in some areas and not others".

    They could also be imposed again later.

    "It's a case of chasing the virus, which isn't a quick fix, which does take three to six months, possibly longer," Dr Atherton said.

    Lifting coronavirus prevention measures will be a matter of "trial and error"
    Image caption,

    "Chasing the virus" will take three to six months or longer, Frank Atherton says

  16. Farmers 'working overtime' through 'stressful' timepublished at 08:18 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Farmers are "working overtime" to keep the UK supplied, according to the president of the National Farmers' Union in Wales.

    John Davies said customers wanted mince and dairy but that the lamb market had taken a "big hit".

    John Davies told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "There's a big demand for mince and dairy products and ready made meals so there's a big push on that.

    "We have the supply working overtime to make sure that is delivered in a proper way."

    He said there was a "good supply" on farms but there were challenges.

    "We're seeing a big hit on the lamb market because a lot of the export markets have been closed," Mr Davies said.

    "We will get through this by working together.

    "It's a stressful time and it's important to keep your family healthy and fed so we all have to stick and work together."

  17. Rugby legend hails NHS staff 'putting lives at risk'published at 08:07 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

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    Rugby legend Gareth Thomas has thanked the Princess of Wales Hospital in his home town of Bridgend for battling through the virus crisis.

    In a video posted on Twitter, Thomas said he had always felt "safe" while getting treatment at the hospital.

    "Now is the time to say 'thank you'. I've always said I would fight for the people of Bridgend, I've always said I would die for the people of Bridgend, without ever fully knowing what that really means," he said.

    "But when you think about what people at the hospital are doing today, and what they will continue to do, is fighting for us.

    "They are potentially putting their lives at risk for us. That's actually the reality of what it means to fight or die for a town you absolutely love."

  18. Airline grounds entire fleetpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    An Easyjet aeroplane

    EasyJet says it has grounded its entire fleet of aircraft due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The airline says the measure "removes significant cost" as the aviation industry struggles to cope with a collapse in demand, but it insisted it "maintains a strong balance sheet".

    It had already cancelled most flights but had been running rescue flights to repatriate Britons stranded abroad.

    The move came as regional airline boss Loganair said airlines were unlikely to survive without a government bailout.

  19. 'Good compliance' with curbs over the weekendpublished at 07:40 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    There was "real change" as more people complied with coronavirus restrictions in north Wales, a senior police officer has said.

    Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison, who is managing North Wales Police's coronavirus response, said the message was getting through.

    "We've had a real change this weekend and seen good compliance across north Wales on the whole," he said.

    "We're seeing really quiet roads and quiet seaside resorts, so that's been positive.

    "People are still trying to travel but it's far less than the weekend before which we're happy about."

    A week after "unprecedented" crowds at Wales' most popular places, people appeared to "have got the message" they should stay home, a Bala councillor said on Sunday.

    Dyfed-Powys Police set up check points
    Image caption,

    Dyfed-Powys Police set up check points and patrols at popular sites such as Storey Arms, near Pen y Fan

  20. Michael Sheen: Turn hotels into abuse refugespublished at 07:27 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Michael Sheen has urged the UK government to turn empty hotels into refuges for people fleeing domestic violence.

    The Hollywood actor, originally from Port Talbot, warned there would be a dramatic increase in domestic abuse.

    He said shelters were already at "absolute bursting point" as the UK entered its seventh full day of lockdown.

    "In these difficult times there is the certainty that abuse calls and cases are going to rise dramatically," Sheen said in a video on Twitter.

    Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Sunday that domestic abuse victims were allowed to leave home to seek help at refuges despite rules to stop coronavirus spreading.

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