Coronavirus in Wales: Main developments on Tuesday

1. The Welsh Government recommends people wear "non-medical face coverings" in situations where social-distancing isn't possible, such as public transport
2. One front-line NHS worker says it's hard for colleagues to process what they are seeing
3. People with sight loss say they have been abused and abandoned during the coronavirus pandemic
4. An artist has been brought into to sketch day-to-day life in Wales' largest coronavirus field hospital
5. The official death tally from Public Health Wales has gone up by nine to 1,410

Goodbye

That's it for today's live page coverage of the response to the coronavirus crisis in Wales. We'll be back from 07:00 BST tomorrow with all the latest on the pandemic in Wales.

Here's a recap of the main developments today:

• The Welsh Government recommends people wear "non-medical face coverings" in situations where social distancing isn't possible, such as public transport
• The official death tally from Public Health Wales has gone up by nine to 1,410
• People with sight loss say they have been abused and abandoned during the coronavirus pandemic
• An artist has been brought in to sketch day-to-day life in Wales' largest coronavirus field hospital
• The Ironman Wales triathlon due to be held in Pembrokeshire is the latest event to be cancelled because of the pandemic

Click here for coverage of coronavirus developments around the world.

Health visitor contact with new babies delayed by pandemic

Staff redeployment as a result of Covid-19 has led to delays in new parents and babies seeing a health visitor, an expert has told the Welsh Parliament.

Dr Mair Hopkin from the Royal College of General Practitioners told the Children, Young People and Education committee: "GPs have not been redeployed but we have lost our health visitors and that has led in some areas of Wales to a ten-day delay.

"The health visitors are having to do remote consultations with parents so it's left a lot of new parents really bereft of any support because they haven't had their family around, they haven't had contact with their friends and more importantly they haven't had contact with a health visitor."

10,000 people could lose jobs in Cardiff, report warns

Local Democracy Reporting Service

More than 10,000 people in Cardiff could lose their jobs and there are fears of increased pollution as more people use cars in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff council has put together plans to reopen the city centre, with a one-way system and overspill areas to try and help bars struggling with social-distancing measures.

But a report to go before the council's cabinet this week warns that while up to 45,000 jobs in the city are "potentially" at risk, the estimated 20% reduction in the economy would see up to "10,000 jobs lost" in hospitality and other sectors.

The council's director of economic development Neil Hanratty said: "It is therefore crucially important to safely re-open businesses as quickly as possible. Cities across the UK will be competing for footfall.

"Cardiff needs to win back the confidence of local people, visitors, students and investors as a safe, resilient and welcoming environment."

But in the report, Mr Hanratty also warns that concerns about using public transport, could see people switching back to travelling by car - leading to increased pollution and congestion, as well as impacting companies.

Trains have seen a 95 per cent drop in passengers and buses a fall of 90 per cent during lockdown.

Mr Hanratty said "urgent measures" were needed to stop a "potentially catastrophic" impact of people shifting to cars following lockdown.

The report shows plans for "pop-up" cycle paths, and pocket parks planned across the city.

"Unless a safe but effective model for city centre and local centre functioning is established, this could have irreparable detrimental impacts upon the city as a whole,” he said.

In a series of reports the council says it will try to keep workers in jobs, link those out of work with new opportunities, provide training, and help young people apply for colleges and universities.

League One and League Two football seasons end early

The League One and League Two football seasons have both been ended early after a formal vote by clubs.

Both tables will be settled on points per game, while promotion, relegation and the play-offs will all go ahead.

Newport County finished mid-table in League Two.

Both votes were passed by an "overwhelming majority", according to the English Football League, who also confirmed that the League Two play-off final would be held at Wembley on 29 June.

No dates have yet been confirmed for the League One play-offs.

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The season is ending early for Newport County and manager Michael Flynn

Third of Samaritans' callers mention impact of coronavirus

At least a third of calls to the Samaritans helpline have specifically raised the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the caller’s life, the charity has said.

Sarah Stone, Samaritans’ executive director for Wales, told a Senedd committee Covid-19 was also “an underlying issue in many more of our calls”.

She was giving evidence to a virtual meeting of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

The committee is holding an inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on children and young people in Wales.

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First minister's appeal to try symptom-tracking app

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has encouraged people to download and use the ZOE Covid-19 symptom tracker app.

It is not the same as the app currently being trialled by the UK government, he explains, but helps keep a track on who is developing symptoms in Wales.

Mr Drakeford said he was using the app himself.

Call to reinstate Swansea lifeguards

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Lifeguard cover should be rapidly reinstated on beaches in Swansea and Gower now that seaside car parks have reopened, a local councillor says.

Will Thomas said he felt it was “extremely dangerous” not to have lifeguards patrolling beaches as popular as Langland and Caswell.

He raised the issue with the council and followed it up with a written question.

The authority reopened its beach car parks following the Welsh Government's easing of lockdown regulations.

Councillor Thomas said the reopening of car parks “sent a message” that the beaches were open for visitors.

The council said it was in discussions with the RNLI which normally provides cover from the end of June to the beginning of September at Swansea beach, Caswell, Langland, Three Cliffs Bay and Port Eynon.

But the charity’s capacity has been reduced to around 30 per cent due to the coronavirous crisis.

An RNLI spokesman said they were "working hard to start a lifeguard service on several beaches in Wales.”

Swansea council

Gwynedd council to reopen more tips

Gwynedd council is to reopen another two of its recycling centres this week.

The facilities at Y Bala and Blaenau Ffestiniog will reopen from Friday.

As with the five other centres which have already opened, residents will need to book a slot on the council's website.

Ben Davies 'desperate' for Premier League return

Wales defender Ben Davies says he is ready for the Premier League to return when his Tottenham Hotspur side play Manchester United on 19 June.

He told the Elis James' Feast of Football podcast he is "desperate" to get back to competition after lockdown.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies says he's ready for the Premier League to return.

PPE 'should always be last resort', says union

A new recommendation for face coverings to be worn in Wales when social distancing is not possible should not distract from employers carrying out risk assessments, union leaders have said.

Wales TUC Cymru was responding to the announcement by Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething, who highlighted public transport as an example.

It tweeted: "PPE is always the last resort when managing risks so should only be used when other measures aren't possible."

Classic car rally cancelled due to pandemic

A classic car show has joined the growing list of events to be cancelled in Wales during the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual Festival of Classic car rally was due to be held in Newport on Saturday, but will not go ahead.

Dinosaur spotted on Swansea beach

PCSO Owens and PC Jones came across an unlikely visitor when carrying out lockdown patrols on the beach at Swansea today.

Archbishop in talks over church reopenings

The Church in Wales is having detailed discussions with the Welsh Government over the possible re-opening of churches, it has said.

All church buildings currently remain closed.

The Church in Wales says: "When the law permits, we envisage a gradual opening of churches based on a clear demonstration of compliance with the protocol and guidance – our primary concern is for the health of those that will use our churches again."

It said the Welsh Government had confirmed there would be no change to the current rules in Wales before the first minister’s next announcement on 18 June.

Double blow for popular Neath events

The Neath September Street Fair has been cancelled along with the town's food and drink festival due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The street fair has been running for more than 700 years.

It usually starts on the second Tuesday of September and in recent times runs in conjunction with a fun fair and horse fair.

The food festival is normally staged over three days in October.

The R number explained

The R number informs the decisions the Welsh Government is making to stop the spread of coronaviris, says Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton.

He shared this video which explains what the R number is.

'Deep disappointment' over Ironman cancellation

The cancellation of the Ironman triathlon in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is "deeply disappointing" but the "right decision", the leader of Pembrokshire council has said.

The annual event, which sees competitors swim 2.4 miles (3.9km) and cycle 112 miles (180km) before running a marathon attracts thousands of people to Tenby every year.

But organisers have cancelled the event, due to take place in September.

Pembrokeshire council leader David Simpson said thousands of fans and "brave and dedicated competitors" would be "deeply disappointed" that the event was not going ahead this year.

“The event has become a much loved annual fixture in the Pembrokeshire calendar," he said.

“However, there is no doubt that this is the correct decision and the council fully supports the postponement due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“The health and safety of the spectators and those taking part must take the utmost priority.

“We therefore look forward to Ironman Wales Pembrokeshire 2021 on the 12 September next year with even more anticipation.”

BBC

Coronavirus restrictions a boon - for mould

The coronavirus restrictions have been tough for many, but it seems keeping humans away has been beneficial for mould.

A lack of people moving around sites at the National Museum Wales has made it easier for mould to grow inside some exhibits.

So fans are replacing bodies for the time being.

Union 'disappointed' with no mandatory mask rule

A trade union says the Welsh Government's decision not to make the wearing of face masks compulsory on public transport "falls well short" during the coronavirus pandemic.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today a "recommendation" to wear three-layer face coverings in places where social distancing is not possible.

Unite Wales regional secretary Peter Hughes said not setting a rule for face coverings was "disappointing".

"As a union representing tens of thousands of front-line workers in Wales, including bus drivers, this falls well short of our members call for their use to be compulsory," he said.

"If Wales is going to start getting back to work, then public confidence in the safety of public transport is essential. Making face coverings compulsory is the best and simplest way of achieving this.

"Unite is calling upon Welsh Government to urgently review its decision and take the common-sense approach on this.

"This is not the time for caution and confusion, make face coverings compulsory on public transport and let us work together to get Wales safely moving again."

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Lockdown vigilante lets down mountain rescuer's car tyre

A mountain rescuer training on an open area of hills in Snowdonia had a tyre deflated on their parked car by a lockdown vigilante.

The volunteer with Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team – usually Britain’s busiest – was abiding by government rules.

A team statement said: “While a team member was training on an open area of hills, they had a tyre let down on their parked vehicle.

"They were following all the government advice on travel and exercise and had driven a short distance from their home.

“Clearly this is illegal and has safety implications beyond the frustration of changing a wheel.

"Current policy is for team members to travel to an incident in their own vehicles, so on occasion there will be unfamiliar vehicles parking in and around villages in Snowdonia.”

North Wales Police has been informed. Other motorists have suffered similar incidents.

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Face-covering advice better late than never, says Plaid politician

Advice on wearing face coverings in public places where social distancing is not possible is "better late than never", a leading Plaid Cymru politician has said.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said he was "surprised that the Welsh Government took so long to respond to the overwhelming international evidence that face coverings can be a very useful weapon in the war against coronavirus".

The Welsh Government had previously been reluctant to ask the public to wear face coverings, despite other parts of the UK recommending people wear them.

Today Health Minister Vaughan Gething said people in Wales should wear three-layer face coverings in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport.

But he stopped sort of making their use mandatory.

Mr ap Iorwerth, member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Mon, said it was "better late than never".

"What I hope will happen is that we'll see the normalisation of wearing face coverings," he said.

"It can be a very useful tool in the war against coronavirus, although of course not enough on its own.”

BBC

Rhun ap Iorwerth hopes to see the "normalisation" of wearing face covering