Changes to RCT Council Services
Following the Welsh Government ‘fire break’ announcement to help regain control of coronavirus, RCT Council is announcing that, in accordance with Welsh Government guidance, the following Council services will be closed to the public from 6pm Friday 23 October 2020:
- Leisure services, including outdoor facilities such as 3G pitches
- Libraries (Online services are available, more information available here)
- Community centres (except those providing essential services such as childcare and foodbanks)
- Community Recycling Centres (CRCs)
- Secondary schools will only re-open after the half-term for children in years 7/8 and most vulnerable children. Pupils will be able to come in to take exams but other pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week;
- Sporting or cultural activities for children will not be permitted during this period.
This adheres to the advice and guidance issued by Welsh Government, and will free-up valuable staff resources to be directed towards priority services at this time.
The following services will continue to operate as usual until further notice:
- Parks, play areas and open spaces across the County remain open for residents to use, should they so wish. Social distancing guidelines must be strictly adhered to when outside the home;
- Public toilets will be open in town centres to encourage residents to shop locally for their essential supplies
- Waste and recycling collections remain unaffected for the time being
- Primary, special schools and the pupil referral units will re-open as normal after half-term
- Childcare will be able to open throughout this time
- Free School Meals – cash payments will be made by bank transfer to eligible families throughout October half-term and continue for those pupils not attending schools until 9 November;
The R number in Wales is currently between 1.1 and 1.4, meaning continued exponential growth in the number of cases and the seven-day rolling incidence rate for Wales stands at more than 130 cases per 100,000 population.
The fire-break will start at 6pm on Friday 23 October, and will apply to everyone living in Wales, replacing the local restrictions which are in force in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The fire-break will be short but sharp to have a maximum impact on the virus:
- People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, such as the need to obtain food or medical supplies, for exercise and to provide care or help to vulnerable persons.
- People must work from home wherever possible;
- People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with either indoors and outdoors
- Adults living alone or single parents will be able to join with one other household for support
- No gatherings will be allowed outdoors, such as Halloween or fireworks/Bonfire night or other organised activities
- All non-food retail, hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs (unless they provide take-away or delivery services), close contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, and events and tourism businesses, such as hotels must close
- Places of worship will not be open to the public, other than for wedding or civil partnership ceremonies or funerals
- Face coverings must be worn in indoor public spaces, which remain open, including on public transport and in taxis.
- Universities will provide a blend of in-person and online learning
- Childcare settings will stay open as normal
- NHS and health services will continue to operate
- If you operate a business that is required to close, Welsh Government is providing financial support to businesses
Please visit the Welsh Government website for further details on restrictions: www.gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance
For information relating to Council services, please visit RCT Council’s dedicated webpages: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/publichealthRCT
It is essential that everyone complies with the new restrictive measures for the period to 9th November 2020. The restrictions are being enforced by the Council’s enforcement officers and the police. We hope people understand the severity of the situation we are facing and will comply with the restrictions on their freedom, without having to be issued penalties.
