UK: Welsh authorities introduce lockdowns in Cardiff, Swansea, and Llanelli from September 27 /update 52

Event

The Welsh government has announced that lockdown measures will be introduced in Cardiff, Swansea, and Llanelli from 18:00 (local time) on Sunday, September 27, due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COIVD-19). Under these restrictions, residents are not permitted to leave these areas unless travelling for work, going to school, buying food, or accessing medicines. Separate households may only meet outside and face coverings must be worn in public indoor spaces. Pubs must also close by 22:20. These restrictions are already in place in Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, and the entirety of Rhondda Cynon Taf county. The health minister has stated that these restrictions could be in place until October at least.

As of Friday, September 25, there have been 418,889 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK with 41,991 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.