Wales was placed in to Alert Level 4 on Saturday 19th December in response to the new strain of coronavirus that has seen a rapid acceleration of transmission and the drive in case rates.

Coronavirus Alert Level 4 Restrictions - from midnight Saturday 19th of December 

  • ALL non-essential shops, close contact services, salons and leisure services will CLOSE.
  • Licensed Premises can offer takeaway and delivery services only between 6am and 10pm.
  • Tighter restrictions on household mixing, staying-at-home, holiday accommodation and travel.
The full Alert Level 4 Restrictions came in to force on 19/12/2020 and failure to comply with the measures could lead to enforcement action being taken.

What do the Welsh Government Alert levels mean?

Read FULL 'Alert Level 4' Welsh Government Restrctions Frequently Asked Questions.

Latest Council service updates as a result of the Welsh Government announcemnet

Please keep in mind that the purpose of the restrictions is to prevent the transmission of the virus, including to those we care about – both within the area and outside it. People will need to make judgements for themselves about what is reasonable, in line with that overarching principle in order to keep themselves and their wider community safe.

The measures include:

  • People should stay at home with their immediate household (people they live with) as much as possible and only leave if they have a reasonable excuse;

A 'reasonable excuse' includes, exercise, going to work where you cannot work from home, attending a school or college, or undertaking a caring responsibility e.g.childcare or caring for an elderly relative, attending a medical appointment, shopping for essential items. It also includes visiting family or close friends on compassionate grounds if necessary.

But the basic message is that people should stay at home and within their immediate area as much as possible. 

  • People will NOT be able to meet outdoors for the time being. People will not be able to meet members of their extended household indoors or outdoors or form an extended household for the time being. 
  • Adults living alone, including single parents, WILL be able to form a temporary 'support bubble' with another household - this will now apply outside of their immediate county where necessary. 
  • People MUST work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.
  • Indoor public venues, such as pubs, bars, restaurants, play centres, community centres (exept for those providing child care or primary care services), libraries (except for click and collect service), leisure facilities and local attractions will be CLOSED.
  • ALL Community Recycling Centres across Rhondda Cynon Taf will remain OPEN under winter opening hours (8am-5.30pm). Strict rules remain in place and MUST be adhered to by those visiting Community Recycling Centre - Please see more details on these pages.
  • Recycling and waste collections will continue to run, however if your collection is delayed please leave at the kerbside and it will be collected as soon as possible. 
  • Play areas and parks remain OPEN and should only accessed by people living within the same household. In particular, you must not arrange to meet with other households at playgrounds and should not socialise there. We also encourage frequent handwashing or sanitisation, not eating or drinking in parks, wiping down equipment with your own wipes, and maintaining low numbers within parks and on equipment by taking turns or using parks at less busy times. PLEASE NOTE: skate parks and sports courts are closed (this includes MUGA’s multi use games areas/ basketball courts etc). The King George V running track in Clydach Vale remains open for individuals to use for exercise during the Alert Level 4 restrictions, but all club bookings of this facility are suspended. The running track in Aberdare is closed. 
  • ALL public conveniences will be CLOSED, with the exception of Morgan Street, Pontypridd and Duke Street, Aberdare. Toilets situated in Aberdare Park, Dare Valley Country Park and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park also remain open. - More information is available here.
  • Information relating to Adult Social Care during this time is available on these pages.
  • Information relating to Children Social Care during this time is available on these pages.
  • Masks or three layer face coverings, that cover your mouth and nose, are now mandatory in Wales and MUST be appropriately worn in ALL indoor spaces and where social distancing can't be maintained, unless you have a valid or medical exemption for not doing so - view Welsh Government guidelines. We are also asking residents to volunteer to wear them in all busy outdoor public spaces – including outside school gates at pick-up and drop-off times.

  • School opening arrangements can be found here.

View the full details of the Welsh Government Alert Level 4 Coronavirus Control Plan
  • People should not visit care homes, unless it is an end of life visit where full PPE will be required.
  • In addition to the above please continue to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing (2 metres). 
  • The Council also strongly recommends that residents avoid using public transport unless it is for an essential journey (to access education, employment, medical appointments, or to shop for basic provisions).

Read FULL Welsh Government FAQ's.

Failure to comply with the measures set out above and in the relevant Welsh Government documents is a criminal offence and could result in enforcement action being taken by Council Enforcement Officers and South Wales Police to protect your fellow residents and help keep RCT and Wales safe. 

Enforcement Action and Fines

Outbreak Control and Prevention 

The Council is continuing to monitor and take action where necessary to ensure that ALL businesses and premises comply with COVID-19 regulations (Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020), which came into force on 10 August 2020, to control, minimise and prevent the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The Council is already taking action to ensure all large supermarkets, retail stores and licensed premises adhere to the Regulations. South Wales Police continue to actively enforce current Wales-wide covid-19 regulations with residents alongside the Councils’ environmental health teams.

Improvement Notices have already been served on a number of premises across Rhondda Cynon Taf following failures to comply with COVID-19 regulations, these may include, but are not limited to, lack of regulation of social distancing and provision of hand and cleaning sanitiser.

These are posted on the COVID-19 Outbreak Control and Prevention page.

The public are reminded that if they feel a business, area or premises are not complying, they should not enter or participate in the activity – we all have a personal responsibility to control the spread and help Keep Wales and RCT Safe. 

Book A Test

If you are symptomatic you are advised to:

Residents are reminded that as part of the Test, Trace, Protect service if you are symptomatic and receive a positive test result you should self-isolate and remain at home for at least 10 days and anyone you have been in contact with should self-isolate for 10 days even if they feel well or receive a negative test.

By coming together and carrying out the above measures, we can turn the tide on this virus and help keep RCT and Wales safe.

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