Local Covid-19 rules in Llanelli area

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.

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. Download a map of the defined area (.pdf, 583 KB)

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.

There is a list of reasonable excuses to leave the defined area of Llanelli, such as going to work where you cannot work from home, accessing public services that are not in the area, and having medical treatment. Other reasons for leaving the area that aren’t listed may, however, also be allowed if they are reasonable. Please see more detailed guidance on the regulations.

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.

Yes, police can issue fixed penalty notices or you could be prosecuted and fined by the courts.

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 email covidenquiries.hdd@wales.nhs.uk or 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.

No, we are not re-instituting shielding at this stage. We will write directly to people who were previously asked to shield in this area if this changes and we need to ask them to shield again.

Generally speaking, no. However if you need to, you can leave the area to provide care for, or to help someone who needs it, such as an older person, a child or a vulnerable adult. But you should consider whether there are alternative sources of support available and we strongly recommend that you do not visit more than one person outside the area. You can also leave the area to visit someone on compassionate grounds if necessary.

In considering whether there is a need to travel outside the area, please keep in mind that the purpose of the new restrictions is to prevent the transmission of the virus, including to those we care about – both within the area and outside it. People will need to make judgements for themselves about what is reasonable, in line with that overarching principle.

No – not even if that household is also within the defined area of Llanelli. Gatherings with members of any other household can take place outdoors only.

However, adults living alone, including single parents, in areas under local restrictions will be able to form a temporary bubble with another household in their local area under the new rules coming into force October 3. The rule of six will apply to these new single people household bubbles.

Yes. You can continue existing arrangements for access and contact if you share parental responsibility for your child with another person, including leaving the local area if needed. Please ensure you follow the guidance on frequent handwashing and do not place others at risk if you or a member of your household is self-isolating.

If however you have coronavirus symptoms, live in the same house as or are an identified contact of someone with symptoms, you should stay at home and children shouldn’t visit.

Yes, but this form of childcare should only be used when no other methods are available.  Adults should not go inside any households other than their own. Where children are being cared for in households other than their own it will be important to ensure they are regularly washing their hands and that wider guidance on managing the virus is followed.  Children should not be cared for outside their home if they are ill, or by anyone who is ill.