30 March 2020 Coronavirus (Covid 19) Bulletin Headlines • 148 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in , bringing the total number of cases to 1,241, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. o 10 more deaths have been reported in people who had tested positive for coronavirus, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 48. o Transport for Wales will receive additional funding support and a coronavirus hardship fund has been set up to help bus companies as passenger numbers have fallen by up to 90% as passengers follow the stay-at-home rules in response to the pandemic. o The combined support is worth up to £69m.https://gov.wales/nhs-staff-get-free-travel-part-69m- hardship-fund-deal-public-transport o NHS staff will receive free travel on buses throughout Wales in return for hardship funding from the Welsh Government over the next three months. • From Tuesday, a free weekly food box will be available to the 75,000 people who have been asked to take shielding measures, including staying at home for at least 12 weeks, if they have no other support. Each free box will provide essential food for one person for a week and will be delivered weekly. If more than one person in the household is shielding, they will also receive food. https://gov.wales/get-coronavirus-support-extremely- vulnerable-person • Guidance for people running holiday accommodation has been published by the Welsh Government. It covers hotel, guest and self-catering accommodation.https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2 020-03/coronavirus-guidance-for-holiday-accommodation- businesses.pdf Powys County Out of hours community support Council In response to COVID19, PAVO’s Community Connectors service has launched a new out of hours phone service for the following times: • Monday to Friday, 5pm – 10pm • Saturday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Community Connectors help those who are isolated and without family or close friends, with day-to-day practical needs. The team are also busy taking referrals and supporting a number of community groups at this time.

You can contact Community Connectors on 01597 828649 or email [email protected] . Please help us by sharing this information with others.

Public transport reduced Public bus services move to a modified Sunday service as part of the council's Covid-19 response from today (March 30). Read more here.

Council and Police provide new advice on businesses requirements with Covid-19 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and- premises-to-close

Emergency childcare hubs Additional special school provision and early years for key workers has been added to strategically located emergency childcare hubs opened last week. Ysgol Cedewain, Newtown and Ysgol Penmaes, have been added to those that opened on Friday.

The centres provide childcare support to support critical emergency workers, NHS staff and social care workers as well as the county’s most vulnerable children. Open 8am-6pm daily and weekends. Based in:

• Brecon – Priory C. in W. School, Brecon • – Newbridge-on-Wye C. in W. School • – Crickhowell C.P. School • Gwernyfed – Archdeacon Griffiths C. in W. (A) School, • – Llandrindod Wells C.P. School Cefnllys • – Ysgol Gynradd Llanfair Caereinion • – Ysgol Gynradd Llanfyllin • – Llanidloes C.P. School • – Presteigne C.P. School • – Ysgol Bro Hyddgen – Primary Campus, Machynlleth • Newtown – Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, Newtown • – Welshpool C. in W. Primary School (Howell Road Site) • – Ysgol Dyffryn y Glowyr, Lower Cwmtwrch

Rights of way Most public rights of way and access land in Powys remains open but popular areas in the Brecon Beacons National Park are closed to maintain social distancing.

Staff travel As per UK government advice, you must stay at home apart from essential travel or you may be fined. If you are travelling as part of essential council business, ensure you carry your PCC ID badge. Additional proof of essential business travel may be required by Dyfed Powys Police. When confirmed, HR will cascade further information through heads of service.

Access to council offices

As above, you must stay at home apart from essential travel. All PCC employees who can work from home or remotely should now be doing so - staff should not be working from or visiting council buildings unless absolutely essential. In light of this, access to the following will be reduced from today (30th March) – County Hall, Neuadd Maldwyn, Gwalia, Neuadd Brycheiniog and The Park Offices. Open Monday, Wednesday and Fridays only, 8am-12pm. Key actions taken

• The council is urgently seeking more staff recruiting in a wide range of roles. • The council has issued a warning to residents not to fall for scams amidst the pandemic. Staff supporting vulnerable clients in particular are urgent to see full story. • The Council has stopped all non-essential business. Priority areas are work to Respond to Covid-19; keep our communities safe and resilient; and Corporate – running the Council • Council facilities/services closed - libraries, leisure centres, day centres, museums, playgrounds, Household Waste and Recycling Centres • Weddings/civil ceremonies cancelled • Parks remain open but crowds of more than two will be dispersed • Schools open to provide childcare to key workers and vulnerable children • All Council employees who can work from home or remotely should now be doing so • Employees should encourage residents/service users to contact council via email, website, apps or phone rather than face-to-face to reduce the risk of transmission. • Meetings to be carried out using Skype/Teams where possible • We are working with partners to coordinate and support emergency response to people in our community who may be affected by COVID 19. The team, called Community Services Emergency Response Team (C-SERT). More information.

FAQs for staff & managers - a comprehensive list of HR frequently asked questions (updated today about PPE). Please use as first port of call for any staffing questions.

Current Advice to Stay at home: the Public • Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work Stay Home • Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people Protect The NHS • Wash your hands as soon as you get home Save Lives #StayHomeSaveLiv Anyone can spread the virus. es Welsh Government has published detailed guidance for all people on staying home and staying away from others.

Current Advice to Shielding is strongly advised for people with underlying health the Public: conditions who are extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. Shielding Welsh Government has published guidance on shielding for people who are extremely vulnerable.

Current Advice to • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature above the Public: 37.8 °C and/or new and continuous cough), seek clinical advice Symptoms using the online coronavirus service at http://111.wales.nhs.uk/covid19 If you do not have access to the internet, call 111. • In an emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre, or a hospital. • To help the NHS provide you with the best care if you need to go to hospital as a result of catching coronavirus, please prepare a single hospital bag. This should include your emergency contact, a list of the medications you take (including dose and frequency), any information on your planned care appointments and things you would need for an overnight stay (snacks, pyjamas, toothbrush, your medication etc). If you have an advanced care plan, please include that. • After recovery, you should follow the Stay At Home guidance above.

More information available from https://phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus

Welsh Government • FAQs for higher and further education • Written statement on the availability of PPE • FAQs on the role of schools during the coronavirus pandemic.

More information from Welsh Government is available from https://gov.wales/coronavirus