Anglesey Council to hold discussion with Welsh Government over whether local lockdown is required

Anglesey Council is holding discussions with Welsh Government over whether a local lockdown is required.

It follows yesterday’s announcement that 158 positive coronavirus cases have now been identified associated with staff working at the 2 Sisters poultry processing plant in Llangefni.

More than 400 employees have provided samples to date with more expected to arrive at testing units in Bangor, Holyhead and Llangefni over the next few days.

All staff are currently self-isolating for 14 days and the factory has been closed.

Council leader Llinos Medi said talks were ongoing with government officials over whether more localised lockdown measures would need to be implemented.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, she said: “We’re having discussions with Welsh Government to know what local lockdown looks like, how do we enforce local lockdown and also how do we support those businesses that won’t be able to operate during a local lockdown?

“I think we’re in he early days and shops should be opening if people keep to the guidance there shouldn’t be a problem.

“We’re all aware of the guidance, the two metre rule, the open space and all that guidance we’ve now been living for many weeks, even months by now.

“Everybody should keep to that and we have two weeks until the FM has mentioned unlocking the tourism sector.

“We should just monitor the situation here in Ynys Mon and we should discuss as partners, Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and ourselves, what’s the right thing to here in Ynys Mon.”

A government spokesperson told the station it was providing support and would consider “all available options” to keep people on the island safe from harm.

Meanwhile, Public Health Wales acknowledged a local lockdown was something that would have to be “seriously considered.

Dr Giri Shankar said “aggressive control measures” were being used to stop the infection from spreading in the meantime.

He said: “At the moment the outbreak is localised to members of staff working in that particular factory.

“There is no evidence of widespread community transmission, but therefore I think at this point of time we need to weigh all the options carefully before going into a blanket lockdown.

“It is a possibility, providing there is enough evidence to support such an action.

“We need to see how the outbreak progresses.”

The council has encouraged everyone at the factory to get tested as soon as possible.

Dedicated testing units for Two Sisters employees will be open today and tomorrow at the following times.

Monday: 
Bangor 8.30 – 4.30
Holyhead 11.30 – 5.00
Llangefni 11.30 – 5.00