Council steps in to stop Denbighshire fun fair taking place amid concerns over Delta variant

Denbighshire County Council has served a notice preventing a fun fair taking place in Ruthin due to Covid-19.

The travelling fun fair was due to visit the town between June 17 and June 20 on private land, but it will not go ahead due to the current cluster of Covid-19 cases in the area, which includes the Delta variant.

An incident management team (IMT) is currently in operation to manage the increase in Covid-19 cases, which includes the local authority, Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Chair of the IMT, Nicola Stubbins said: “Following the increase in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the Delta variant in Denbighshire we served the operators of Ruthin Fun Fair with an event direction notice under coronavirus regulations to stop the event taking place.

“This decision was made purely on the current public health situation in Denbighshire and is to prevent any further spread of the Delta variant in Denbighshire.

“We have been working closely with the organisers of Ruthin Fun Fair and this decision in no way reflects on the organisation, its event planning or the safety of the event.

“As a council we would like to thank the organisers of Ruthin Fun Fair for their co-operation during this time and we look forward to welcoming the fun fair back to the town when it is safe to do so.

“We understand this will be a disappointment to residents and we would like to thank them for their understanding at this time.”

The council has taken the decision following consultation with the fun fair operators, the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales.

Anyone displaying symptoms of Covid-19 is asked to book a PCR test immediately.

You can now go for a free Covid-19 test if you have a range of symptoms which include flu-like symptoms, not caused by a known condition, muscle ache or pain, excessive tiredness, persistent headache, runny nose or blocked nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing and generally feeling unwell.

An additional mobile testing unit is operating at Caledfryn, Denbigh, while testing centres are also operating in Rhyl, Quay Street Car Park and Llangollen, Market Street Car Park. Booking is required at these sites.

HWB Dinbych is operating a Covid Support Hub offering collection of free lateral flow tests.

You can book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or order a lateral flow test at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

You can also book a test by phone on 119 between 7am and 11pm (calls are free).

Free lateral flow tests are available from HWB Dinbych, Smithfield Road, Denbigh, LL16 3RG from Tuesdays 8.30am – 1pm; Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm; Thursdays 8.30am – 1pm and Fridays 8.30am – 1pm.

You can also pick up free lateral flow tests from Rhyl, Quay Street Car Park LL18 1NS, between 8am and 1pm, seven days a week.

Main image: “Ferris Wheel” by svenstorm is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0