Pandemic update for Bridgend County Borough

Welsh Government has confirmed that moves to restore alert level zero conditions are to continue amid declining Covid-19 infection rates and evidence from Public Health Wales that the peak of the omicron variant has now passed.

From 21 January, there will be no limits on the number of people who can take part in outdoor activities. Crowds will be able to return to outdoor sporting events, and outdoor hospitality can operate without additional reasonable measures. The Covid Pass is still required for entry to larger outdoor events, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.

From 28 January, nightclubs will re-open. The ‘rule of six’, table service and two-metre physical distancing will no longer be required, but self-isolation rules for people who test positive for Covid-19 and rules on face coverings within most public indoor places will remain in force.

Businesses, employers and other organisations will also need to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and put reasonable measures in place to minimise the spread of coronavirus, and while working from home will remain important advice, it will no longer be a legal requirement.

In other developments, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is offering free walk-in vaccinations against winter flu for two and three year olds this weekend.

Administered via a nasal spray, the walk-in clinics will be available at the Ravens Court vaccination centre between 9am and 4pm on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January.

They have been arranged following concerns that children who have been off school may have missed their regular school vaccination programme, and could be at risk during the final few months of winter when influenza is more prevalent.

Mobile testing also remains available for anyone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. A drive-through testing facility is available at the former Revlon site in Maesteg (CF34 9TS) between 9am to 5pm. Drive-through testing is also available at Coity and Litchard Community Centre (CF31 1PA) from 9am-5pm.

Finally, 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 across all three sites.

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.

Once again, communities throughout Bridgend County Borough have worked together to help fight the spread of Covid-19, and to keep one another safe.

Wales’ vaccination programme lies at the heart of this success, and I urge anyone who has not yet received a shot or a booster to make sure they do so as soon as possible.

While the coronavirus pandemic is not over and we must not let our guard down, we have made excellent progress by acting as a single, unified community, and I would like to thanks everyone who has played a part in helping us to reach this significant point. For more details about testing and vaccinations, please visit the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board website.

Council Leader Huw David