Coronavirus update for Bridgend County Borough

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales will continue to gradually relax some of its remaining pandemic protections.

From Monday 28 March, face coverings will no longer be required by law in retail settings and on public transport but will continue to be recommended in public health advice.

Face coverings will remain a legal requirement in health and social care settings and coronavirus risk assessments must continue to be carried out by businesses.

In other changes announced by Welsh Government today, the requirement to self-isolate will also move into guidance. The £500 self-isolation support payment will continue to be available until June.

We have seen an unwelcome rise in coronavirus cases across Wales, mirroring the position in most of the UK.

We have carefully considered the very latest scientific and medical evidence and we need to keep some legal protections in place for a little while longer, to help keep Wales safe. Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a gradual and cautious approach as we have relaxed protections.

We are firmly on the path towards leaving the emergency response to the pandemic behind us and learning to live with coronavirus safely.

First Minister Mark Drakeford

Testing remains available for anyone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. A walk-through testing centre is available at the Bowls Hall car park in Angel Street, Bridgend (CF31 4AH) between 8am-8pm – please note that booking remains essential.

People who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 can obtain a lateral flow test by collecting them from a participating local pharmacy, calling 119 or by ordering them online for home delivery.

You can arrange testing appointments by visiting the Welsh Government website or calling 119. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call 18001119 as an alternative.

Meanwhile, those eligible for first, second, third or booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine can walk into any community vaccination centre to receive the dose. In Bridgend, this is at Ravens Court (CF31 4AP) which is open from 9.30am-6pm.

Walk-ins currently cover:

First Doses

• Anyone aged 12 and over

Second Doses

• 18 years and over , 8 weeks after their 1st dose, but also need to be 28 days after a COVID 19 infection.
• 12-17 years old who are in a clinical risk group, severely immunosuppressed or living with someone who is immunosuppressed, 8 weeks after their 1st dose, but also need to be 28 days after a COVID 19 infection.
• 12-17 years old without any risk factors, 12 weeks after their 1st dose, but also need to be 12 weeks after a COVID 19 infection

Third Doses

• 12 years and over who are severely immunosuppressed, will receive a third primary dose, 8 weeks after their 1st dose, but also need to be 28 days after a COVID 19 infection

Boosters

• 18 years and over , 13 weeks after their 2nd dose, but also need to be 28 days after a COVID 19 infection.                                                                                            
• 12-17 years old who are in a clinical risk group, severely immunosuppressed or living with someone who is immunosuppressed, 13 weeks after their 2nd dose, but also need to be 28 days after a COVID 19 infection.
• 16-17 years old without any risk factors, 13 weeks after their 2nd dose, but also need to be 12 weeks after a COVID 19 infection

There is more information on walk-in clinics, opening days and times in the health board’s weekly vaccination update which is published online here:  Weekly vaccination update - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (nhs.wales)