Following a sharp increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Llanelli area, new restrictions have been introduced to reduce the spread of the virus and protect public health for people living in the area.
The restrictions come into force at 6pm on Saturday September 26 2020 and will be kept under review.
The main restrictions are:
x people will not be allowed to enter or leave the defined area of Llanelli without a reasonable excuse
x people will no longer be able to form, or be in, an extended household (sometimes called a “bubble”)
x this means meeting indoors with anyone who is not part of your household (people you live with) is not allowed at the moment, unless you have a good reason, such as providing care to a vulnerable person
x all licensed premises must stop serving alcohol and will have to close at 10.20pm
√ people must work from home wherever possible
The following FAQs should answer any queries that you may have about the new local restrictions. Get in touch via the “Ask a question” tab if there is anything you need additional information about.
These restrictions are being introduced following a sharp and rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Llanelli area. This has been caused by groups of people meeting indoors, not following social distancing guidelines and returning from summer holidays abroad with coronavirus.
How long will these restrictions be in place?
The restrictions will be in place until the risk of the spread of coronavirus has reduced, when they can be relaxed. The Welsh Government has a duty to review these restrictions after two weeks and every week after that if the restrictions remain in place longer than that.
The restrictions cover a defined area of Llanelli. Residents cannot leave the area without good reason. Similarly those who live outside the area cannot enter it without good reason.
The specific wards covered in the defined area of Llanelli are:
√ Bigyn
√ Bynea
√ Dafen
√ Elli
√ Felinfoel
√ Glanymor
√ Hendy
√ Hengoed
√ Llangennech
√ Lliedi
√ Llwynhendy
√ Tyisha
√ Swiss Valley
If you’re unsure please use our postcode checker to see if you live in the defined area.
You can leave the area if you have a “reasonable excuse” to do so – this includes going to work where you cannot work from home, or using public services that are not available locally. It also includes leaving your local area to visit family or close friends on compassionate grounds if necessary.
But the basic message is that we want people to stay in the area as much as possible. You do not have a reasonable excuse to leave the area to do something if you could be reasonably expected to be able to do it within the area. This also works the other way around. Those living outside the area should not enter it if at all possible.
The legal requirement is that you can’t leave the defined area of Llanelli without a reasonable excuse. However we urge people to think not only about what you can’t do because the law says so, but also about what you shouldn’t do because it could increase the spread of coronavirus and your risk of contracting coronavirus. So even though you can travel within the area, you should think about whether there are alternatives, like working from home or using the internet to shop.
Similarly, even though you can still meet others outdoors in some circumstances, this isn’t an open invitation for people to do so. We are encouraging people to avoid unnecessary travel wherever possible and to avoid crowded places, particularly indoors.
If you do not have a good reason (a “reasonable excuse”) to stay in the area, you should leave as soon as practicable.
If you do have a reasonable excuse to stay, then while you are in the defined area of Llanelli, you should follow the local restrictions in place and limit your interactions with others as much as possible.
Once you have left the area, please be cautious about interacting with other people and be aware of any potential symptoms of coronavirus.
You should immediately self-isolate and book a test. If you live with other people, they should self-isolate too. Find more information about self-isolation, and what this means.
A mobile testing unit has been set up in Llanelli to manage the increased demand. Testing for Llanelli residents is available by appointment at the following locations:
√ Parc y Scarlets Car Park B, accessed via Trostre Retail Park, in Llanelli
√ The Ty’r Nant site (next to KFC), Trostre, Llanelli
√ The Carmarthen showground (signposted in both directions off the A40)
There should be no reason for Llanelli residents to travel excessive distances for a test, as there will be tests available in Llanelli and Carmarthen.
Tests should be booked via the UK Portal. Any Llanelli residents experiencing difficulty booking a test locally via the UK portal can instead emailcovidenquiries.hdd@wales.nhs.ukor by calling 0300 333 2222. You will need to provide:
√ Your full name
√ Date of birth
√ Postcode
√ Email address (if available)
√ Current mobile phone number (test results are sent by text message) if you don’t have a mobile number please include a landline number
You will receive a call back from a withheld/private number.
x Please do NOT book a test if you do not have COVID-19 symptoms
√ Residents must remember to self-isolate at home and only leave their house to attend the test appointment. After the test, residents must continue to self-isolate until they receive their results
√ If a person receives a positive test they must continue to self-isolate for 10 days from when their symptoms started. Anyone else living in the same household will need to isolate for 14 days. A positive test will also result in a person being contacted by a contact tracer on behalf of the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service.
x If a person receives a negative test they no longer need to self-isolate.
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