North Wales council leader urges public to comply with new alert level four restrictions

A North Wales council leader has urged members of the public to ensure they comply with the new all-Wales coronavirus restrictions.

The Welsh Government announced a sudden change of tact over the weekend by placing the whole country under alert level four rules, and reducing the Christmas relaxation period to just one day.

There have been calls from some quarters for Anglesey, the county with the lowest rate of Covid-19 infections in the region, to be exempt from the tough new restrictions.

However, First Minister Mark Drakeford has detailed a new, significantly more infectious strain of the virus which is spreading across the country, and has already been identified in North Wales.

Despite the relatively low rates of infection on Anglesey, cases on the island have now risen above 50 per 100,000 people for the latest seven-day rolling period.

With the new strain reported to have a rapid growth rate, which can quickly transfer between people, Anglesey Council leader Llinos Medi, said: “As a mother of two young children myself, I’m intensely aware of the huge disappointment and frustration felt by families and communities across the whole island.

“Christmas is such an important time of year which we should all be enjoying with families and friends; and losing what we hold so dear, and have taken for granted for so long, is extremely tough.”

Annwen Morgan, the council’s chief executive, added: “The number of positive cases on Anglesey is currently low, but the wider situation is difficult.

“This new strain could spread quickly and decisively across Anglesey if normal festive traditions continue during Christmas in 2020. This year is different.

“I appeal to everyone to keep themselves, families, friends and Anglesey’s communities safe by complying fully with the restrictions. There will be other, more appropriate times, to come together.”

For more information about alert level four and answers to frequently asked question, please visit the Welsh Government website: https://gov.wales/covid-19-alert-levels