FIRST minister Mark Drakeford has today announced new changes to local lockdown restrictions in Wales.
The changes, which will come into force tomorrow (October 3) affect single parents and adults living alone.
People living alone will be able to form temporary bubbles with another household in their local lockdown area, in the Welsh Government’s attempts to tackle loneliness.
People living in areas with tighter restrictions are currently banned from meeting anyone else inside.
People living alone will be allowed to meet others indoors – something which is not ordinarily allowed unless someone has a reasonable excuse.
The rule of six will apply to these new single people household bubbles.
Other than these new regulations there are no major changes during a review for the first time in three months, due to the rise in the number of cases.
"We have seen more 350 new cases reported daily recently,” the first minister said. “Sixty-six people were admitted to hospital on average each day last week and 21 people are being treated in intensive care - the highest level in three months.
“We are once again seeing cases of coronavirus rising across Wales and the reintroduction of restrictions in many parts of the country to protect people’s health and control its spread.
“Many people will have the support of their family at this time but large numbers of people – young and old – live alone. None of us should have to face coronavirus on our own.
“Creating temporary bubbles for single people and single parents in local lockdown areas will make sure they have the emotional support they need during this time.”
The local restrictions introduced across a number of South Wales local authority areas over the last 10 days will also be retained.
New cases in the Vale and Cardiff
The news comes at the Vale saw 14 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, according to Public Health Wales.
Forty-six new cases have been confirmed in Cardiff.
Across Wales, 390 cases were confirmed by Public Health Wales, and there were three newly reported deaths. There have been 16 deaths in Wales in the last week.
The locations of the other new cases confirmed across Wales today are as follows:
- Rhondda Cynon Taf - 68
- Swansea - 51
- Flintshire - 30
- Bridgend - 26
- Conwy - 18
- Merthyr Tydfil - 18
- Carmarthenshire - 16
- Wrexham - 15
- Neath Port Talbot - 15
- Newport - 11
- Caerphilly - 10
- Denbighshire - nine
- Gwynedd - nine
- Blaenau Gwent - eight
- Torfaen - eight
- Powys - seven
- Ceredigion - three
- Monmouthshire - two
- Pembrokeshire - two
- Unknown location - four
- Resident outside Wales - 72
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