Summary

  • There were 37 new deaths reported today, the majority of which were in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area.

  • There were 1,414 new cases reported by Public Health Wales.

  • There were 24 deaths from Covid-19 last Thursday, the highest number of deaths reported in a single day since 1 May.

  • Shops will re-open, people will go back to work, places of worship will resume services after 9 November, the Welsh Government has said.

  • Updated guidance on essential items which can be sold in supermarkets has been issued for Wales' 17-day lockdown.

  1. Jeremy Miles about to start today's Covid updatepublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 28 October 2020

    The Welsh Government’s counsel general Jeremy Miles is about to start today’s coronavirus press conference at 12:15 GMT.

    The government's chief legal adviser will be giving the midweek briefing and taking questions on the current 'firebreak' lockdown.

    Stay with us as we report live from the briefing.

    Jeremy Miles
  2. What 'essential' items can I buy in lockdown?published at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 28 October 2020

    woman browsing baby clothesImage source, Getty Images

    A ban on the sale of "non-essential" items during Wales' firebreak lockdown has caused confusion and frustration among some shoppers - but others say it has kept them at home.

    A licensing expert said guidance around what "should" be sold was at the heart of the issue, while the law requiring people to "stay at home" was clear.

    On Tuesday, the Welsh Government published a list of items ministers said should be allowed to be sold in supermarkets after retailers said they were in a "difficult position" without a defined list.

    The government also said customers should be able to ask for non-essential items in exceptional circumstances.

    So what are you allowed to buy? Read our guide here.

  3. Cwm Taf Morgannwg hospital deaths reach 69published at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 28 October 2020

    Another 12 deaths have been linked to hospital infections in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, bringing the total so far to 69.

    The deaths have happened at its three general hospitals in Llantrisant, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend.

    It comes as official figures report another 47 deaths in Wales involving Covid-19 registered in the latest week.

    This is the highest weekly figure since mid-May reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

    It is 10 more deaths than reported the week before.

    Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said there were now 366 cases linked to outbreaks at the three general hospitals and two community hospitals in Rhondda and Maesteg.

    medical team in scrubsImage source, Getty Images
  4. Call to improve ‘disjointed’ Covid business helppublished at 11:59 Greenwich Mean Time 28 October 2020

    Small company owners want to see the Welsh and UK governments "work together" to offer support during the Covid-19 crisis, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

    One business owner told BBC Wales the help available was "disjointed".

    The FSB also warned job losses from small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) - around 60% of private employment - could have a large impact overall.

    The UK government said it had provided billions of pounds of support to Wales.

    A Welsh Government spokesperson said it agreed with the FSB's comments.

    The UK government's furlough scheme ends on 31 October, and the new Job Support Scheme starts on 1 November, just over half way through the Welsh firebreak lockdown.

    Until the end of October the UK government is paying 60% of wages and the employer - including businesses closed down during the lockdown - has to pay 20%.

    Only previously furloughed employees can be furloughed again.

    Mountain Ash-based CBS employs 20 people, processing checks on job candidates, particularly in areas where safeguarding is paramount.

    Chief executive Rachel Bedgood said the past few months have been "immensely challenging" and "the demand for our services relatively quickly dropped off a cliff".

    "The furlough scheme was initially fantastic. The new [Job Support Scheme that] has just come in now is a little bit too late for us," she said.

    Rachel Bedgood
  5. Welcomepublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 28 October 2020

    Good afternoon and welcome to today’s live page.

    We’ll be bringing you the latest developments on the coronavirus outbreak in Wales.

    Stay with us for details from the daily Welsh Government briefing at 12:15 BST.

    We will also be reporting on the latest Covid figures from Public Health Wales.

    The latest stories are: