Local Democracy Reporting Service

A mayor swapped his gold chain for a paper one to host virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rob Walsh, Mayor of Wrexham, stopped wearing the 18-carat gold chain, which dates back to 1872, when lockdown and social distancing began in March as he needs help putting it on.

But he replaced it with a paper chain made by children at Park Community Primary School, wearing it for Wrexham's first virtual full council meeting on Wednesday.

"I think it's very important that I keep doing things even though it's going to be very different," he said.

Image source, Rob Walsh

Newport Central Library will reopen on Tuesday, the council has said.

It added: "Social distancing measures are in place and you will need to book an appointment in order to visit."

During the last few months over 6,400 GP video consultations have taken place, the Welsh Government says.

It said it enabled services to continue while protecting NHS staff and patients.

It said the service would now be extended to include dentistry, optometry and pharmacies.

Travellers arriving in the UK from dozens of countries no longer have to self-isolate for two weeks from Friday.

The rules are being relaxed for arrivals from 75 countries and British overseas territories.

However, Scotland still requires people travelling from Spain to quarantine - unlike England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Foreign Office's advice against taking a cruise holiday remains in place.

From Friday morning, people arriving in the UK from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany and dozens of other countries will no longer have to spend 14 days in quarantine.

But people who arrived from those countries at an earlier point in the last two weeks will still be expected to complete their period of isolation, the government said., external

Image source, AFP

Cardiff's Sherman Theatre says it has taken the "difficult decision" to remain closed until next year.

It said it would "help ensure our survival and long-term sustainability in the light of the situation caused by Covid-19".

A county that avoided the worst of Covid-19 now faces the balancing act of welcoming back tourists - vital to its economy - while keeping people safe.

Ceredigion was praised for its virus response, but will see visitors from areas with higher infection rates when the tourism sector starts reopening.

Accommodation owners want to strike a balance between restarting the industry and protecting people in the area.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged visitors to stay safe at beauty spots.

According to figures from Public Health Wales, Ceredigion has seen just 59 confirmed coronavirus cases since the outbreak began - a rate of 81.2 per 100,000 people.

This compares with a rate of 896.8 per 100,000 in Merthyr Tydfil.

Image source, Roger Kidd/Geograph

A doctor leading an intensive care unit says everyone who worked in hospitals during the pandemic will be changed by the experience.

David Hepburn from the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport was one of the first NHS doctors to become ill with Covid-19 when he was infected in early March.

But little did he know the intensive care unit he was leading was about to be flooded with critically-ill patients as south east Wales became an early coronavirus hotspot.

Speaking to BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke, Mr Hepburn reflected on some "very frightening" experiences over the past five months.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to our live page coverage of coronavirus in Wales.

Further easing of lockdown is on the cards, with self-contained accommodation set to reopen this weekend, followed by outdoor areas of pubs, cafes and restaurants on Monday.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has also indicated that campsites, hairdressers, beauty salons, cinemas and playgrounds will be allowed to reopen over the next three weeks.

He'll announce further details at the Welsh Government's press briefing at 12:30 BST.