Summary

  • First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged people not to disregard advice to stay at home in fine weather

  • Thirteen more deaths in Wales have been confirmed, making a total of 154 as of Saturday

  • There have now been 2,853 confirmed cases in Wales, but there are likely to be more as not everyone is being tested

  1. First minister urges visitors 'return home immediately'published at 14:00 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was concerned to hear that people were still travelling to parts of Wales despite guidance to 'stay home', and he warned that they faced police fines if caught.

    "Please return home immediately," he said.

    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
  2. Call for travel banpublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has called on the Welsh Government to bring in emergency legislation to impose a "full travel ban into Wales without an official permit or valid reason, ahead of the Easter weekend".

    He said this should include additional arrangements to help prevent any unnecessary internal travel within Wales or via international transit too.

    Mr Price said his party's politicians were being "inundated" with reports of people arriving at second homes and holiday lets in north and west Wales.

    He said a travel ban "would mean roadblocks on all major routes as well as checks at all major bus and rail stations, with the exception of emergency and commercial vehicles which could travel in designated express lanes".

    "Similar measures have been rolled out in Australia, for example, where there is an inter-state travel ban," he said.

    Adam PriceImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'Grazie Mille - Diolch - Thank you'published at 13:32 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Public Health Wales has just published this message from Juventus star Aaron Ramsey

    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. Plans to help with shopping being finalisedpublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Supermarket customersImage source, Getty Images

    The Welsh Government said it is finalising plans to assist supermarkets in identifying vulnerable people self-isolating and in need of securing deliveries.

    A Welsh Government spokesperson said a “simple and secure scheme” was being developed to provide priority deliveries for those people who have received a letter from the chief medical officer asking them to adopt shielding measures for 12 weeks to protect themselves from being exposed to coronavirus.

    The spokesperson said: “We have also introduced a scheme to provide a free weekly food parcel to those people who are shielding but do not have any support from friends, family or other local networks.

    "Details about how to register for this free food parcel are set out in the letter from the chief medical officer.”

    Meanwhile, Cardiff Council is asking residents self isolating without any family support to get in touch if they need helping obtaining essentials.

    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
  5. County's cemeteries reopen after revised funerals guidancepublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    CoffinImage source, Getty Images

    Pembrokeshire County Council has reopened, external its 11 cemeteries following revised guidance from the Welsh Government, external.

    The rules about who can attend a funeral have been relaxed but there will be a maximum limit on the number of people who can attend when considering the social distancing rule to keep people 2m apart.

    People can attend funerals if they are the person who has organised the funeral, if they have been invited to attend or are the carer of a person who is attending a funeral.

    But there will be a limit to the number of people who can attend, depending on how many people the venue can accommodate, taking into account the 2m rule.

    Pembrokeshire council said the numbers of mourners attending funerals at Parc Gwyn Crematorium or burials in any of its cemeteries remains unchanged at 12.

    Local Government Minister Julie James said: “The death of a family member or friend is a very distressing event which is why we have amended these regulations to enable people to attend funerals in certain circumstances.

    “Our advice is that people should only attend the funeral of their closest family and friends and they can only do so if they have been invited.

    “But there are a number of ways wider family and friends can be included, for example by livestreaming the funeral or by arranging a memorial or celebration of life event once the pandemic is over.”

  6. Where are the coronavirus cases in Wales?published at 12:39 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    A total of 141 people in Wales have died after testing positive for coronavirus, with a total of 2,466 cases, although the true figure is likely to be higher.

    The Aneurin Bevan and Cardiff and Vale health boards account for more than half the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Wales.

    Public Health Wales issues a daily update, external on the number of cases at about 14:00 BST.

    Graph
  7. Police patrol holiday hotspotspublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Patrols are being carried out in Bala, Gwynedd, after a large number of visitors descended on the area two weeks ago, despite advice to 'stay home'.

    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
    Sign in Bala: 'Wales is closed'
    Image caption,

    Locals in Bala put up a sign saying "Wales is closed" to warn off passing motorists

  8. Do face masks work?published at 11:45 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    With face masks in high demand, we look at whether they can protect people from the virus.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Do face masks actually work?

  9. Police stop checkspublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Dyfed-Powys Police are carrying out patrols and warning motorists to avoid all but essential travel over the weekend.

    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
  10. Coronavirus explained in 60 secondspublished at 11:12 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    What is the coronavirus? How might it affect you? What can you do to prevent it?

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus explained in 60 seconds

  11. Heated tent used for assessing A&E unit arrivalspublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    A heated tent is being used to accommodate patients arriving at the emergency department at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, according to the head of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

    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. Student volunteers offering childcarepublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Medical students from Swansea University are volunteering to look after the children of NHS key workers during the coronavirus crisis.

    A group of eight third-year graduate entry students at Swansea Medical School launched the emergency relief childcare scheme and now have a team of 150 volunteers including student doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics ready to take on shifts.

    About 50 shifts have been covered so far for frontline workers at Morriston and Singleton hospitals in Swansea and Prince Phillip Hospital in Llanelli.

    Rachel Haigh
    Image caption,

    Rachel Haigh: "The feedback has been really positive"

    Third-year student doctor Rachel Haigh, 25, one of the team running the scheme, said: “We knew people were worrying about childcare with schools closing, and this seemed the best way to help the NHS at this time.

    “The feedback has been really positive. We’ve had lots of emails from people we’ve helped...we heard we got a round of applause in a management meeting which was really nice.”

    Prof Kamila Hawthorne, head of graduate entry medicine for Swansea University, said: “We’re very proud of them.

    "This was completely their idea after their placements were cancelled due to the crisis.”

    All are DBS-checked as a condition of admission to medical school, trained in basic life support, and many have previous experience of working in childcare.

    About 200 other students from the medical school are being fast-tracked into clinical roles or healthcare assistant positions for Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda university health boards to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.

    Swansea University signImage source, Getty Images
  13. 4,000 prisoners could be released earlypublished at 10:40 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Up to 4,000 prisoners could be released from jails in England and Wales early because of the coronavirus, the prison service has said.

    Those convicted of violent crimes and sex offences will be excluded from the early-release scheme.

    Inmates with two months or less to serve will be eligible for release on temporary licence.

    It follows concerns that hospitals could be overwhelmed if the virus continues to spread in prisons.

    So far, 88 prisoners across 29 jails have tested positive. A further 1,200 are believed to be self-isolating.

    About 8,000 prison staff have been absent due to issues related to the virus - around a quarter of the total workforce in jails.

  14. Where are the extra hospital beds in Wales going?published at 10:31 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Thousands of extra beds have been set up in Wales for coronavirus patients to help ease the pressure on NHS hospital wards.

    Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets and Bluestone National Park resort near Narberth are just some of the locations being converted.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Thousands of extra beds set up in Wales

  15. Visiting a second home is 'not essential travel'published at 10:00 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Police patrol on Menai Bridge
    Image caption,

    Police patrol on Menai Bridge on Saturday morning

    Visiting a second home or an Airbnb accommodation is "not essential travel", according to North Wales Police whose officers have been carrying out patrols between Anglesey and the mainland on Saturday morning.

    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
  16. What exactly is social distancing?published at 09:45 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Just what is the advice on social distancing - and how does it stop the spread of coronavirus?

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus UK: What is social distancing?

  17. 'We are not talking small amounts of money'published at 09:31 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Vets, farms, animal rescue centres and attractions have been trying to find new ways to cope.

    And among them is Folly Farm Zoo in Pembrokeshire which should have been looking forward to a busy Easter holiday period

    Curator Tim Morphew said: "I think it's a time like this you realise how expensive animal attractions are to run.

    "We are not talking small amounts of money. We are talking tens of thousands of pounds."

    He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the business relied on tourism and holiday periods like Easter when the attraction should be at its busiest.

    But he said the closure had cost it a significant proportion of its annual income.

    Folly Farm staffImage source, Folly Farm
    Image caption,

    Staff are still working and looking after the animals at Folly Farm

  18. 'Please don't risk the lives of others'published at 09:22 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    North Wales Mountain Rescue Association has suggested that there may be an increase in traffic coming to the region over the beginning of what would have been the Easter holidays, despite national advice for people to 'stay home'.

    The association, which represents the area's rescue teams, says: "The volunteers who provide the mountain rescue service across North Wales are extremely concerned about the increased risk of additional calls for assistance which will increase the risk of exposure of members to Covid-19.

    "Volunteers are volunteers. They may choose not to risk their own health and livelihoods and those of their families to assist someone who has ignored government instructions and ignored the very real concerns of the members of the mountain search and rescue teams.

    “Please don’t risk the lives of others even if you are prepared to risk your own.”

    View across a lake in Snowdonia National ParkImage source, Getty Images
  19. Police collect toiletries for patientspublished at 09:06 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Gwent Police officers are collecting toiletries for patients, according to Judith Paget, boss of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

    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
  20. 'This is not the time to visit'published at 08:59 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Blue Lagoon at AbereiddiImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi on the Pembrokeshire coast

    Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority chief executive Tegryn Jones has added his voice to calls for people to stay home.

    “This is not the time to visit," he said.

    “The guidance is not to undertake any non essential travel and I would interpret that as meaning you should not be driving anywhere to go for a walk,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast

    “It’s an opportunity for you to explore things a bit closer to home at this time.

    “We will look forward to welcoming everybody when this is cleared up."