Transport for Wales (TfW) is placing rainbow stickers on trains in tribute to key workers helping in the fight against Covid-19.

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “I’d like to thank all key workers, including those representing TfW, who are truly dedicated and supporting the country in the fight against Covid-19.

"Across the whole of our network we’ve seen a collaborative team approach and it’s great to fit these stickers to our trains and show support to those on the front line.”

Ford's engine plant in Wales will restart production next week, the car manufacturer has announced.

Its 1,200 strong workforce in Bridgend has been on furlough since 25 March, following the coronavirus pandemic.

There were fears it might not have reopened at all after lockdown, as it is due to shut for good in September.

It comes after staff at Toyota on Deeside returned to work this week under new procedures that implemented social distancing.

Ford also confirmed it intends to restart initial production at its Dagenham engine plant in Essex.

Image source, PA Media

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has published a new strategy to test the public and trace the spread of coronavirus in Wales.

He says testing capacity will be increased to up to 20,000 tests a day, drawing on a UK-wide scheme. Current capacity stands at more than 5,000 tests a day.

The Welsh Government says the exact number of tests Wales will need every day will depend on the level of coronavirus circulating in the community and the emerging evidence about how testing should be deployed to prevent infection.

The plan includes:

• Increasing testing of critical workers to enable them to return to work
• A new system of home testing for the public if they have coronavirus symptoms
• A new app to track symptoms in the general population and contact others who have symptoms or have tested positive.

Mr Gething said: “We all want to be able to return to normal life as quickly as possible and to ease restrictions further – the science will guide us about when that happens.

“Our 'Test, Trace, Protect' strategy will be a key element in helping us do that by enabling us to quickly identify people with coronavirus symptoms; to identify any new hotspots and to isolate as many contacts as possible.”

He added: “We have to learn to live with the virus. This approach will help people understand whether they have been exposed to the virus so they can limit their exposure to others. This will help us to prevent infection and track the virus as restrictions are eased.

“The public will be our most important partners. It is only through their willingness to report their symptoms, identify their contacts and follow the advice to self-isolate if they have symptoms that we will be able to control the spread of coronavirus.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Recycling centres in Wrexham are set to open on Friday for the first time since lockdown began.

But the council has warned the county’s three tips could close again if residents don’t observe social distancing.

The Plas Madoc, Brymbo and Wrexham Industrial Estate sites were shut in April in line with government guidelines.

On Friday, the Welsh Government green lit councils to plan for reopening.

Image source, Getty Images

The Duke of Cambridge, the Welsh Rugby Union's patron, has thanked Wales' players and staff for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

It was announced last month that Wales' leading international and regional players would take a 25% pay cut as the sport deals with the financial impact of coronavirus.

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has been transformed into a temporary hospital, Calon y Ddraig - The Dragon's Heart - with rugby at all levels in Wales suspended since March.

"I am writing to pass on my support and thanks to all of the staff and players at the Welsh Rugby Union," Prince William wrote.

"There is no doubt the last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling, as games and tournaments are cancelled and you each face additional pressures trying to juggle personal and professional lives.

"However, I am aware of the wonderful spirit that runs through the Welsh rugby community, and encourage everyone to continue to take the time to support each other in the way that you have been.

"I hope it won’t be too long before you can be back in action but in the meantime, this comes with my very best wishes for good health to you all and your families over the coming weeks."

Image source, Getty Images

Builders in Wales risk going back to work “solely based on a financial decision” rather than “health and safety”, according to the Federation of Master Builders in Wales.

Ifan Glyn, director of FMB Cymru, says the lack of financial support for building company directors puts them in a position where they might go back to work to ensure “the continuation of their business".

Giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, he said "the gaps around support for company directors who pay themselves in dividends is particularly prominent in construction”, with around 60% of members in that position.

Mr Glyn added: “I think the issue in moving forward is that now they're looking at the potential return to work and, whereas that decision should solely be based on health and safety, they will be getting to that position where they will be going back to work and they will be solely based on a financial decision on the continuation of their business.

“In Wales at the moment we have these regulations that leaves the ball entirely in the employers’ court to take reasonable measures to adhere to the two-metre rule.

"I think taking a more prescriptive approach that provides businesses with a bit more guidance than the Welsh Government are doing at the moment would be beneficial.

“We've produced our own guidance to members on how they go about operating safely domestically. It’s just guidance. It doesn't have backing from government or anything like that, but in that we talk about stuff like compartmentalising the building sites as much as possible.”

This graph illustrates the number of deaths of people with coronavirus by date.

A further 22 people with Covid-19 have died in Wales.

As of Wednesday 1,154 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) figures.

There have been 133 new confirmed cases, meaning 11,706 people have been diagnosed with the virus.

The true number is likely to be higher since not everyone is tested.

This map shows the total deaths in Wales of people with coronavirus, broken down by area.

A further 22 people with Covid-19 have died in Wales.

As of Wednesday, a total of 1,154 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) figures.

There have been 133 new confirmed cases, meaning 11,706 people have been diagnosed with the virus.

The true number is likely to be higher as not everyone is tested.

First Minister Mark Drakeford says that angling is allowed during lockdown "as long as it's local and social distancing in properly observed".

Speaking in the virtual Senedd session, Mr Drakeford told Members of the Senedd: "If you walk from your home to a river and sit there and fish on your own, then that's allowed."

Image source, Getty Images

A further 22 people with coronavirus have died in Wales.

As of Wednesday, a total of 1,154 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) figures.

There have also been 133 new cases, meaning 11,706 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus, although the true number is likely to be higher as not everyone is tested.

PHW has previously said Wales seems to have "passed the peak" of cases.

PHW publishes figures on the number of deaths daily, mostly from hospitals, which have all been confirmed by laboratories as involving coronavirus.

These are not all necessarily new deaths as some are reported and verified later and then totals are revised for the appropriate day.

The chancellor has said it is "very likely" the UK is in a "significant recession", as figures show the economy contracting at the fastest pace since the financial crisis.

The economy shrank by 2% in the first three months, external of 2020, as coronavirus forced the country into lockdown.

Rishi Sunak told the BBC that just "a few days of impact from the virus" in March pushed the economy into decline.

Economists expect an even bigger slump in the current quarter.

Mr Sunak said: "It is now very likely that the UK economy will face a significant recession this year, and we're already in the middle of that as we speak."

Businesses registered in tax havens will not receive money from the Welsh Government's fund to help firms through the coronavirus crisis, Economy Minister Ken Skates has said.

He said it was right that "businesses that don't pay tax should not benefit from the interventions that government is making" and would like this approach to be extended "right across the United Kingdom".

Mr Skates said the Welsh Government's move demonstrated to the people of the UK as well that "we are not going back to business as usual, when we are through this crisis".

"We are all determined across all political parties, if at all possible, to build a better economy and a better society," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

The MP for Pontypridd Alex Davies-Jones has shared a photo of her with her young son Sulley after taking him for his jabs.

She tweeted: "We all dread taking our little one to get their jab at the best of times but please remember it's important that you continue to get your child vaccinated during the Covid-19 outbreak."

Public Health Wales says it has seen a small drop in routine vaccination numbers since the pandemic.

Viewings of homes should not be carried out if people cannot abide by social distancing, Mr Skates said.

While the UK government has relaxed the rules so estate agents can open and viewings be carried out, that has not happened in Wales.

Mr Skates told the daily Welsh Government press conference “people must observe the regulations that have been published, the guidance that has been published”.

He said much of the legal sector is operating, “so exchanges can take place”, but added that it was difficult “to be able to view properties where space within flats or houses is confined”.

“It stands to reason that if you cannot abide by social distancing you should not be carrying viewings.

“If you are able to then we will look at the regulations, we will review them on a regular basis,

“But our message is to people right now unless it's essential that you undertake activities, that you work away from home, then you should not be doing it.”

Stephen Fairclough
BBC Radio Wales

A three-day-old baby has died at Singleton Hospital in Swansea after his mother tested positive for Covid-19.

Coolio Carl Justin John Morgan, whose parents are from Maesteg, was born at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend on 2 May.

He had fetal bradycardia - a low heart rate - and was transferred to Singleton as his condition worsened.

Senior coroner’s officer Lauren Howitt told the brief hearing at Pontypridd Coroners Court that his mother was found to be Covid-19 positive soon after delivery.

No post-mortem examination has been carried out, and the preliminary cause of death was given as “1a. Severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy" (a lack of oxygen and blood to the brain) and "2. Maternal Covid 19”.

Coroner Graeme Hughes asked his officers to investigate the circumstances of the death ahead of a final hearing listed for 28 April 2021.

“I pass on my condolences to the family in these most sad and depressing circumstances,” he said.

Economy Minister Ken Skates says work is being carried out into managing demand for public transport and maintaining strict social distancing rules.

He said he wanted public transport to be "part of the return-to-work challenge".

"I would never say 'avoid public transport' because one in five people in Wales do not own a car and they rely on public transport to get to work," Mr Skates added.

He said later today he was meeting transport unions, passenger groups, public transport operators, stakeholder representatives and Transport for Wales to discuss the guidance being developed to help prepare for a "new normal".

Mr Skates said some of the measures being discussed were:

• prioritising use of public transport for key workers
• encouraging more pre-booking of travel
• better planning of travel
• staggering shift patterns in the public sector and encouraging the private sector to do likewise

"Confusion" and "mixed messages" between the different policies of the UK and Welsh Governments are grossly overstated, according to the prime minister.

Answering questions in the Commons, Boris Johnson was asked by Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis if the "people of Wales deserve a government that is honest and clear with them about the road ahead".

The prime minister said that in his experience the four governments in the UK had been "working very well together".

He added: "My honest view is that all those who talk about confusion and mixed messages are grossly overstating the position.

"The common sense of the British people is shining through this argument. They can see where we want to go, they can see where we need to go."

Economy Minister Ken Skates has urged the UK government to "meaningfully" involve the devolved administrations in discussions on "transition to life" after the next phase of the workers' furlough scheme.

He said: "An important part of those discussions will be the need for continuing support for those businesses which are not able to operate.

"Tourism and hospitality were the first into the shutdown and they will need support for longer."

Yesterday, the UK scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus was extended to October.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed employees would continue to receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500.

Wales has the highest proportion of businesses applying for the UK government's furlough scheme, says economy minister Ken Skates.

Speaking at the Welsh Government's daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Skates said 74% of companies in Wales had applied for the scheme, "compared to 67% England, 72% Scotland and 65% in Northern Ireland".

He said the Job Retention Scheme was essential to enable large parts of the economy to "hibernate" through the crisis.

Mr Skates said none of the devolved governments had the "fiscal firepower" to provide the "intensity of support" that the scheme has been providing.

Yesterday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the UK scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus would be extended to October, although he said companies would be asked to "start sharing" the cost of the scheme from August.

Mr Skates said: "It is essential the Job Retention Scheme is not withdrawn or scaled back too quickly and before businesses have been able properly to restart their operations".

Image source, Welsh Government