Coronavirus: Three Welsh Assembly members go into self-isolation

The National Assembly is to stop guided tours and public events

Three Welsh assembly members have gone into self-isolation over coronavirus fears.

Plaid leader Adam Price's child showed symptoms and Mark Reckless, the Brexit Party group leader was experiencing symptoms that were "potentially consistent" with the disease.

Neil McEvoy, the independent AM for South Wales Central, has also been in isolation after his wife developed symptoms.

The assembly is due to sit on Tuesday.

Mr Price said on Twitter: "Am now self isolating for 14 days after my son showed Covid-19 symptoms.

"Will continue to work from home and encourage all to follow new social distancing guidelines to protect ourselves and loved ones.

"Difficult months ahead but we will get through it by supporting each other."

Mark Reckless is among the three AMs who have self-isolated

Meanwhile the assembly has announced it will be closed to the public, with the exception of attending or observing meetings of the assembly and its committees.

All planned guided tours, educational visits and public events will stop until 26 April at the earliest.

Plans to hold Senedd meetings in Mold this summer have also been postponed, and staff visits to schools have been suspended.

From Monday, people with a continuous cough or a high temperature have been advised to isolate for 14 days.

• 'Only call NHS 111 if you cannot cope at home'

• First coronavirus death in Wales confirmed

It comes as a senior Conservative assembly member called for the Senedd to "cease standard business" and focus entirely on coronavirus.

Former Welsh Conservative assembly leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Anything else in the current climate is an unnecessary distraction."

• EASY STEPS: How to keep safe

• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?

• GETTING READY: What is the UK's 'delay' phase?

• TRAVEL PLANS: What are your rights?

• IN-DEPTH: Coronavirus pandemic

Mr Davies, a former Welsh Conservative leader, said he was "surprised" the government's agenda for Tuesday's plenary session remained unchanged.

He called for each minister to outline to AMs what their department was doing in response to the virus.

Tuesday's business in the assembly includes a statement from Vaughan Gething, the health minister, on coronavirus, alongside items on unrelated legislation and topics.

The Welsh Government said: "We continue to take every opportunity to update the public on information relating to coronavirus and how we are responding to this fast-changing situation.

"This includes government business in the Senedd."

'Special session'

The assembly, announcing its changes, said the business committee made up of senior members of political parties will meet on Tuesday morning to confirm proceedings for the next two weeks.

"Committee business this week includes a special session of the health committee with the health minister and chief medical officer. Emergency legislation relating to Covid-19 is expected to require full Assembly scrutiny the following week," the statement said.

It said members of the assembly commission, which runs the organisation, have discussed the need to support staff directly and indirectly affected by Covid-19 "and the need to continue to provide relevant guidance to assembly members relating to their own staff and offices".

"All assembly decisions and operations will be reviewed in line with any updated guidance from the Welsh Government."