Summary

  • The contacts of people who receive a positive coronavirus test result in Wales will be traced from 1 June, the Welsh Government has announced

  • Local lockdowns are not being considered in Wales to maintain a "clear message" about coronavirus, the Welsh Government says

  • Tributes are paid to two Cardiff and Vale healthcare workers who died after contracting coronavirus

  • Eleven more people have died with coronavirus in Wales, taking the total to 1,293, Public Health Wales said on Wednesday

  • Some coursework could be removed and courses streamlined for pupils due to sit A-level and GCSE exams next year, regulator Qualifications Wales says

  • Ministers are due to set out how £2.4bn is being spent to help firms and public services struggling with the coronavirus pandemic

  • A Conservative MP says his family has been reminded of the government's lockdown rules amid reports police broke up a party at his house

  • A wildlife charity has suggested ways Wales can recover from the Covid-19 outbreak and protect the environment at the same time

  1. Goodbyepublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    That brings an end to today's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in Wales. Here's what's happened:

  2. Coronavirus spending in Wales revealedpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Principality Stadium turned into a field hospitalImage source, Getty Images

    The vast sums of public money being spent by the Welsh Government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed.

    Ministers said £2.4bn is going on healthcare, businesses, councils and elsewhere to tackle the effects of Covid-19.

    Most - £1.6bn - is being used to support the economy.

  3. 'A walk in the park would help my anxiety'published at 17:26 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Lucy Williamson would happily exercise locally like the government advice but she can't as her local park is shut.

    It affected her mental heath so much she now drives for a walk - but wishes the park near her house was available.

    Now a mental health charity is calling for more parks to be reopened in Wales.

    The Welsh Government has said the decision to shut parks is up to local authorities.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Not being able to walk in park 'really upsetting'

  4. Tory MP criticises Cummingspublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Sarah Atherton

    A Conservative MP has accused Dominic Cummings of showing a "lack of judgement" over his controversial trip to Barnard Castle during the lockdown.

    The aide to Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under intense scrutiny in recent days after he drove 260 miles to his parents' home in Durham in March.

    Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton said she had been contacted by a number of constituents who were concerned about his actions.

    In an email sent in response, the former nurse said she understood his explanation for the main journey due to fears over safeguarding and a lack of childcare if he became incapacitated by Covid-19.

    However, Ms Atherton criticised a shorter trip he later made to the town of Barnard Castle, which the senior adviser said was to test his ability to drive back to London, after experiencing loss of vision due to the virus.

    "I cannot understand the rationale behind his journey to Barnard Castle, she said.

    “As a figure in the public eye he showed poor judgement, and I fear his actions may undermine the national message."

    Unlike some of her Tory colleagues, Ms Atherton, who was elected as an MP for the first time in December 2019 has not called for Mr Cummings' resignation. Instead she said: "We must draw a line under this issue and focus our efforts on our recovery plans."

  5. NHS offers online parenting coursespublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Public Health Wales is offering parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and carer-givers free online courses designed to help them understand the development and emotional milestones of their children.

    The courses, which cover everything from pre-birth to late teens, have been designed by NHS and other experts to provide extra support to all.

    “Healthy family relationships are important in supporting children’s wellbeing and development, particularly in the earliest years of life,” said Amy McNaughton, consultant in public health at Public Health Wales.

    “Families in Wales are living through extraordinary times. I can’t stress enough that it is completely normal to need help and that it is okay to ask for and accept it.”

    Initially launched by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the bilingual service has been adopted by Public Health Wales for an initial 12-month trial.

    During this time every parent in Wales can access the courses on the In Our Place website.

    “We know that parents and care-givers are facing new challenges trying to adapt to today’s situation so we’re working to help them to find the positives through these times,” said Wales’ deputy minister for health and social services Julie Morgan.

  6. Family rescued after being cut off on beachpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    A family was rescued after being cut off on sand banks at West Shore beach in Llandudno.

    The town's coastguard said the incident happened at about 11:00 BST and the family was picked up by Conwy lifeboat "seconds before the sand they were standing on disappeared beneath the sea".

    Posting on social media, the coastguard said: "The message remains the same here in Wales, stay at home but you may leave home to excercise locally."

    "We will still come to your aid, but remember, your choices might put people, including you and front-line responders, at risk."

  7. McDonald's staff to get temperature checked as branches reopenpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    McDonald's staff will have their temperature checked before work as branches across the UK reopen for drive-thru or delivery.

    All branches will be open on Tuesday to Thursday by the end of next week, following a UK pilot which saw queues at drive-thrus following lockdown.

    The burger chain said it expected "demand to be high" in the coming weeks, but there would be restrictions in place to ensure safety.

    "Over the last fortnight, our employees, franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that we can now help all parts of the UK and Ireland to enjoy the return of the Big Mac," a spokesman said.

    The chain said it had closed drive-thru lanes where demand had led to lengthy queues impacting people living nearby, and it was working with police and local authorities.

    The locations of the restaurants being reopened will be released on the morning of each day next week.

    Safety measures include:

    • Capped spend in drive-thrus of £25 per car
    • Perspex screens at drive-thru windows and employees wearing protective equipment, as well as Perspex screens and floor markings in specific areas in the restaurant and kitchen
    • All McDonald’s employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work, and the company will use contactless thermometers with temperatures taken on arrival at work for every shift
    • Social distancing has been introduced in the kitchens and service areas to help create a safe working environment for restaurant teams
    • Restaurants will return with smaller teams, offering a limited menu.
    McDonald's queues
  8. Local lockdowns ruled out in Walespublished at 16:37 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Empty Cardiff Bay

    Local lockdowns are not being considered in Wales, to maintain a "clear message" about coronavirus, the Welsh Government has said

    Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said imposing different rules could cause a "great deal of confusion".

    This is not the case in England where local lockdowns could be used to suppress "flare-ups" of coronavirus.

    "I think the testing, and tracing work will be really important in terms of negating the need for that kind of local lockdown in future, because it will be about tracking those individuals who have had contact with somebody who has been proven to have the coronavirus," she said.

  9. Community stays in touch during lockdownpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Children posting newsletter

    A valleys community is staying connected in lockdown through a locally-produced newsletter.

    Residents of Coronation Terrace and Birchgrove Street in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taff, receive Our Street News on a monthly basis.

    The pamphlet features local stories but also practical information and phone numbers to help older residents who do not have access to the internet.

    Editor Rachel Pedley said the newsletter was helping residents overcome loneliness and isolation.

    "It was absolutely lovely to hear from a lady who has written an article, who has lived here since 1963, and she was really excited," she said.

  10. Johnson facing MPs over Cummingspublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Boris Johnson and Dominic CummingsImage source, Getty Images

    Boris Johnson is being questioned by senior MPs amid continued calls for his top adviser to resign.

    The prime minister is being asked about Dominic Cummings' lockdown trip to County Durham at the Commons Liaison Committee - and will also be grilled about the government's handling of the pandemic.

    About 40 Tory MPs have called for Mr Cummings to resign or be fired after his 260-mile journey came to light.

  11. Disco queen completes 24-hour dance for NHSpublished at 16:12 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Carys RobertsImage source, Mandy Jones Photography

    A woman has raised more than £4,000 for the NHS after dancing for 24 hours.

    Carys Roberts, 59, has previously danced with chart-toppers Hot Chocolate, Bananarama and Kool and the Gang, and on Top of the Pops.

    But the pilates and dance class tutor's more low-key danceathon took place in Criccieth memorial hall in aid of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board charity Awyr Las.

    "I did have a dip in energy between one and three in the morning but I got a second burst of energy then and I was still full of energy at the finish," she said.

  12. Lockdown 'widening fitness gap' in communities, survey suggestspublished at 16:01 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    With school sports clubs and leisure centres out of bounds, there are fears exercise inequalities have heightened during lockdown.

    While 34% of Welsh adults say they have done more exercise during lockdown, 33% are doing less, according to a survey carried out by Savanta ComRes on behalf of Sport Wales.

    While more affluent communities are doing more exercise - 39%, those from more deprived communities are doing less exercise - 33%.

    The gap is "more glaring" for children, with 9% of adults reporting their children are doing no physical activity or exercise on a typical day. For those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, the figure is 14%.

    Sport Wales said the restrictions had "intensified" inequalities which already existed in sports participation, and hit deprived communities especially hard.

    Chief Executive Brian Davies said the closure of schools, clubs and sports centres had hit poorer communities hard.

    “As part of the collective work that is being undertaken towards the safe re-introduction of sport at all levels in Wales, we must ensure that we reflect this insight in our efforts to make sport and physical activity as accessible as possible and target our resources to reach those communities and groups who are statistically less active," he said.

    Savanta ComRes surveyed 1,007 Welsh adults between 8 and 12 May.

    The data has been weighted to be demographically representative of Welsh adults aged over 16 by gender, age and the estimated households with children under 16.

    Coach with childrenImage source, Getty Images
  13. University outlines teaching planpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Swansea universityImage source, Getty Images

    Swansea University has become the first institution in Wales to announce its plans for teaching from September.

    It says all courses will be taught in a dual way – face to face and virtually - but has ruled out large lectures initially.

    International students will receive support if they need to pass through any quarantine controls in place at the time of their arrival.

    Accommodation will be available as normal with social distancing measures in place.

    Swansea University’s pro-vice-chancellor Prof Martin Stringer said it was "shaping its delivery" to ensure students would be fully part of its community.

  14. Furlough scheme now covers 8.4 million workerspublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Some 8.4 million workers are now covered by the UK government's furlough scheme, up from eight million a week earlier, the Treasury has said.

    Claims for subsidies filed by employers rose to £15bn from £11.1bn, it added.

    The scheme, brought in to mitigate the effects of coronavirus, allows employees to receive 80% of their monthly salary up to £2,500.

    A similar scheme for self-employed workers saw 2.3 million claims made worth £6.8bn.

    workersImage source, Getty Images
  15. Police urge people not to drive to the beachpublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Dyfed Powys Police have been using social media to remind people not to drive to the coast, as the sun continues to shine in Wales.

    They have reminded people that exercise should start and finish from home.

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  16. Lottery funding boosts cathedral during lockdownpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    St Asaph Cathedral has received £21,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the building during the closure of all places of worship.

    During lockdown, the cathedral has been unable to hold any fundraising events or large-scale diocesan services which cover the day-to-day running costs of the UK’s smallest ancient cathedral.

    In addition, the cathedral’s tearoom has been closed since the middle of March.

    The Dean of St Asaph Cathedral, the Very Reverend Nigel Williams, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now ensure the bills are paid over the next four months to maintain the building ready to welcome visitors back as soon as possible.

    “We’re grateful that the National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”

    St Asaph CathedralImage source, Church in Wales
  17. Coronavirus contact tracing in Wales to start from 1 Junepublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    The contacts of people who receive a positive coronavirus test result in Wales will be traced from 1 June, the Welsh Government has announced.

    The Welsh Government wants to restart contact tracing as a way to help ease the country out of lockdown.

    Contacts of those who have tested positive will be asked to self-isolate in an effort to prevent further infections.

    Contact tracing pilots have been run in four health board areas since 18 May.

    How will test, track and trace work?
  18. Premier League restart plans move forwardpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    A Premier League ball and a face maskImage source, Getty Images

    Premier League clubs have agreed to resume contact training as plans to restart the season move to the next phase.

    Players will be able to "train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising unnecessary close contact".

    Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow and it is safe.

    Players and staff will continue to be tested twice a week for coronavirus during stage two of Project Restart.

  19. Two Cardiff and Vale health workers die with coronaviruspublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    Cardiff and Vale health board has said two of their members of staff died in the same week after contracting coronavirus.

    Nurse Dominga David and theatre assistant Allan Macalalad died after testing positive for Covid-19.

    In a letter to colleagues, chief executive Len Richards offered condolences to their families.

    Dominga David, 62, had worked at University Hospital of Llandough since 2004 and Mr Richards said she “will be remembered as an exceptionally hard worker and a respectful, kind and compassionate person when interacting with patients, families and colleagues alike.

    “The teams say she was part of their family and she was well-loved by everyone. She is survived by her son Renzie, to whom we send our deepest condolences.”

    Theatre assisant Allan Macalalad, 44, worked in ophthalmology theatres. He was a carpenter by trade and settled in Cardiff with his wife, Elsie, who is a nurse with a neighbouring health board. He is survived by Elsie and his son, Justin.

    “The ophthalmology theatres and SSSU team are a close knit team and were shocked and saddened to hear of Allan’s passing," Mr Richards wrote.

    He described Mr Macalalad as a perfect gentleman, sociable, hardworking, and a loyal team player.

    “It is absolutely heart-breaking to have lost two colleagues in the same week to Covid-19," executive nurse director Ruth Walker said.

    "Both Allan and Dominga were valued members of our team here in Cardiff and Vale UHB and we will miss them profoundly and we send our condolences to their respective families.

    “Our thoughts are with Allan and Dominga’s teams in UHB, and their loved ones both here in the UK and the Philippines.”

    Dominga DavidImage source, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
    Image caption,

    Dominga David

    Allan MacalaladImage source, Allan Macalalad
  20. Man jailed for assaulting emergency workerpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 27 May 2020

    A Gwynedd man has been jailed for assaulting an emergency worker, with police describing the offence as a “despicable act”.

    Karl Wayne Edwards, 50, from Bangor Street, Y Felinheli, was jailed for four months yesterday.

    “This is the second example in a week of someone being jailed for spitting at custody staff,” North Wales Police inspector Neil Jones said.

    “This is unacceptable in normal times. During Covid-19 this despicable act is a source of unnecessary stress, and anyone who behaves this way will be robustly dealt with.

    “Let me be clear - we will not tolerate assaults upon our staff under any circumstances, and anyone who commits these assaults can expect the prospect of a jail term.”

    Karl Wayne EdwardsImage source, North Wales Police