Community stance against coronavirus ‘more important than ever’

As positive Covid-19 cases rise across South Wales, the Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council is urging residents to take positive action and come together as one community to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Working alongside partners such as Public Health Wales and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, the council is considering a range of new measures to combat the spread of the virus.

It has already announced restrictions on visiting arrangements at local care homes in order to protect vulnerable residents, and is reminding people that the Porthcawl Elvis Festival normally planned over the weekend of 25-27 September has been cancelled by its organisers.

Further actions under consideration include the use of three-layer face coverings or masks within the workplace, shops and crowded public spaces, encouraging people to only use public transport where it is absolutely necessary, continuing to work from home as much as possible, and more.

With one local lockdown already in effect and concerns that more lockdowns will prove necessary in the South Wales area, it is more important than ever for the people of Bridgend County Borough to come together and stand as one community to present a single, strong response against the coronavirus. The vast majority of our residents have done all that has been asked of them to protect themselves, their families and communities and I want to thank our residents for their understanding, co-operation and support.

We now need to make sure that we do not let our guard down - the pandemic is far from over, and as we have seen with the recent rise in cases throughout the region, Covid-19 has not gone away. It is absolutely essential that we all adopt a common sense, single-community approach against the spread of the coronavirus. The national guidelines are there to protect us all, and ensure that we do contract or pass on the virus to others. As a community, we must make sure that we rigidly follow this advice, and ensure that we continue to wash our hands and use sanitiser regularly, observe social distancing of two metres, cover our mouths in crowded spaces, and remember not to touch our face.

If you develop a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or notice a change in your sense of smell or taste, make sure that you get a coronavirus test as quickly as possible. Adopting the right behaviour is half the battle, and it is one that we can all support. While I truly hope that we do not see a further rise in cases in the county borough, people can be assured that the council and its partners are ready to act and take further actions designed to help curb its spread. We are monitoring events very closely, and I would urge residents to look out for further announcements in coming days and weeks.

Leader Huw David

• For the latest advice and support on the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus